Defense Minister Katz Orders Transfer of Civil Enforcement in West Bank to Israeli Police

Defense Minister Israel Katz held a special security meeting on Thursday focusing on the West Bank, attended by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, head of the Military Intelligence Directorate, and other senior commanders. Following the discussion, Katz instructed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to coordinate with the Israeli Police and relevant authorities to develop an operational plan transferring all civil enforcement powers in the West Bank to the Israeli Police, aligning with practices in other parts of Israel.

Under this plan, the police will establish a dedicated unit equipped to handle civil matters in the area, receiving the necessary authority and funding. Meanwhile, the IDF will concentrate on combating Palestinian terrorism and protecting borders and settlements. Katz emphasized that civil enforcement is not the IDF's role or capability, especially given the expected increase in settlers following government decisions to establish 104 new settlements and formalize agricultural outposts.

Katz clarified the division of responsibilities: the IDF will focus on security threats and defense, while the police will assume full responsibility for civil enforcement concerning settlements and residents. He described the move as a significant step toward strengthening governance and law enforcement in the West Bank, allowing the IDF to focus on its primary security missions. The government and military will grant the police all necessary powers to carry out these tasks effectively.