IDF Investigation Finds Palestinian Police Illegally Detained Israeli Reservist in Area C

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have revised their initial account regarding the detention of reservist soldier Shlomo Rozental by Palestinian Authority (PA) police in Area C of the West Bank. An IDF investigation concluded that PA police unlawfully set up a checkpoint in Area C near Binyamin and detained Rozental without legal authority. This contradicts the original IDF statement claiming the PA police intervened to assist Rozental after an attack threatened his life.

Rozental was traveling along the Ma'ozim route toward Highway 443 when he encountered the checkpoint near Beitunia. Initially mistaking the officers for Israeli forces, he was stopped, surrounded, pepper-sprayed, physically assaulted, and had his weapon, phone, and car keys confiscated. He was handcuffed and placed in a PA police vehicle, then driven toward Ramallah before being handed over to Israeli forces. Rozental denied reports that he had entered PA-controlled territory or that the PA police rescued him from an attack, stating the checkpoint was illegally placed in Area C.

The IDF investigation supports Rozental's version, confirming the PA police acted without jurisdiction and detained him unlawfully. His vehicle was later returned by Israeli authorities. Following the incident, Rozental, through the legal aid group Honenu, appealed to Defense Minister Israel Katz and Central Command Chief Avi Blot to take action against the PA officers involved.

Israel Gantz, head of the Binyamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, praised the investigation's findings and called for concrete measures beyond the inquiry. He demanded the immediate cessation of coordination with the PA, the arrest and prosecution of the involved officers in Israel, and a thorough review by the Civil Administration to prevent recurrence. Gantz warned that failure to act would embolden further violations of Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank.

The incident highlights ongoing tensions over jurisdiction and security in Area C, a zone under Israeli control but claimed by the Palestinians, and raises concerns about PA security forces' unauthorized operations within Israeli-administered areas.