Defense Minister Katz Faces Criticism Over Plan to Transfer West Bank Enforcement Powers to Police

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a plan to transfer all civilian enforcement powers over West Bank settlers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to the Israeli police. This announcement came in response to recent violent clashes involving settlers in areas such as Kousra, Galoud, and Taybeh, where the IDF has struggled to control settler violence against Palestinian civilians, drawing both domestic and international criticism.

A senior police official told Walla News that the move appears to be an attempt to shift criticism away from the IDF, which is currently responsible for law enforcement in the West Bank under military jurisdiction. The official noted that the IDF is not fulfilling its responsibilities and is trying to pass them to the police.

Under current Israeli law, the military commander of the Central Command holds sovereign authority in the West Bank, and military law applies there. This means that any new legislation affecting the area requires the approval of the Central Command chief. Police operations in the West Bank require military coordination, making enforcement cumbersome.

Experts and former officials have criticized Katz’s announcement as politically motivated and lacking legal basis. They emphasize that transferring enforcement powers would require a formal political decision and legislative changes in the Knesset, as the military currently holds legal authority in the West Bank. A senior security source stressed that such a significant change cannot be implemented by a ministerial announcement alone and must follow proper legal and political procedures.

The controversy highlights the complex legal and operational challenges of law enforcement in the West Bank and the political sensitivities surrounding Israeli settlement policies.