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

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the IDF to develop a plan to transfer civil enforcement authority in the West Bank from the military to the Israeli police. This directive aims to allow the IDF to focus more on combating Palestinian terrorism while reducing friction between soldiers and settlers. The decision specifically concerns enforcement in Area C, outside established settlements and agricultural outposts, which have recently emerged and require new operational and security responses.

Implementing this change involves significant legal and operational challenges. It requires altering the legal status of Areas A and B under the Oslo Accords to grant the police enforcement powers there, effectively converting these areas into de facto Area C zones. This would enable police to operate without military accompaniment and handle civilian and criminal matters independently. The move also demands substantial resource allocation, including personnel and funding, to establish a dedicated police force for the West Bank. It is expected that the Border Police in the West Bank will shift from IDF operational command to direct police control.

The new police force is intended to address the unique security and enforcement needs of recently established agricultural outposts, which differ from older settlements. However, due to the complex security environment in Areas A and B, military involvement will remain necessary, with police operations continuing to rely on IDF protection during enforcement actions. Some security officials view the transfer as a political maneuver to shift criticism away from the military. A senior officer in the Judea and Samaria district noted the move aims to deflect criticism from both right and left factions by transferring responsibility from the army to the police.

The plan is currently under discussion within the framework of settlement policy and enforcement in Area C, with further developments expected as the IDF and police coordinate the transition.