Former Israeli Police Chief Calls for Courage to Enforce Law in West Bank Against Ideological Violence

Moshe Karadi, former Israeli police commissioner, argues that the main issue in the West Bank is not a lack of authority but a lack of courage to enforce existing laws against ideological violence. He highlights that both the IDF and Israeli police have clear legal responsibilities in the region, as defined by the Shomron District Police and the IDF's Central Command, especially after the Oslo Accords divided the area into zones A, B, and C.

Karadi recounts a recent visit to northern Samaria where he witnessed violent acts by Jewish extremists amounting to near ethnic cleansing, which he condemns as illegal, immoral, and un-Jewish. He criticizes military and political leadership for their impotence and lack of decisive action, suggesting that a single phone call between the IDF Chief of Staff and the police commissioner could resolve such incidents quickly.

He recalls his own experience during the evacuation of the Amona outpost, where he deployed 2,000 police officers to enforce court orders despite violent resistance. Karadi warns that these extremist actions damage the legitimacy of the entire settlement enterprise, harm Israel’s international standing, and risk economic and diplomatic consequences, including boycotts and accusations of war crimes against military leaders.

Karadi calls on decision-makers to recognize ideological crime as a serious offense and to empower the IDF and police to restore law and order in the West Bank, emphasizing that the problem is not political but about upholding the rule of law and Israel’s global reputation.