Israel Plans to Transfer Civil Enforcement to Police in West Bank's Area C with Force Doubling

New details have emerged about Israel's plan to transfer civil enforcement authority in the West Bank from the IDF to the Israeli police, a move directed by Defense Minister Israel Katz. The transfer will apply exclusively to Area C, which is under full Israeli control, and will not affect Areas A and B, where only the IDF and the Palestinian Authority have enforcement rights. About two weeks ago, a key meeting took place involving Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Central Command Chief Avi Blot, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Yoram Halevi, and Judea and Samaria Police District Commander Moshe Pinchi. Halevi highlighted the emergence of new settlement outposts in Area C, emphasizing the need for enhanced defensive and enforcement responses.

The discussion concluded that the National Police Headquarters would coordinate the transfer process. Currently, the Judea and Samaria police district has approximately 1,500 officers, but to meet operational demands, the force would need to double to around 3,000 officers. Security officials told Channel 7 that legal changes are required to implement this shift, effectively overriding parts of the Oslo Accords, to regulate police authority in the West Bank and establish a capable enforcement and defense force in the new areas.

Notably, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Dany Levi did not attend the two meetings but were kept informed. Police sources stressed that their role is not to act as an adversarial force against settlers but to provide enforcement and defense for Israeli citizens. The plan reflects a significant shift in security and administrative control in Area C, aiming to strengthen law enforcement presence and capabilities there.