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Ben-Gvir seeks to shift law enforcement powers in occupied West Bank to police
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the transfer of civilian law enforcement duties from the army to the Israeli police in the occupied West Bank as a significant step toward establishing Israeli sovereignty over the area. Palestinian officials said the plan would pave the way for annexation.
Palestinian officials said a plan to transfer civilian law enforcement powers in the West Bank from the Israeli army to the police would pave the way for the annexation of the occupied territory. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir backed the transfer, describing it as a significant step toward establishing Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the army to prepare a plan within two weeks for transferring civilian law enforcement duties to the Israeli police.
Ben-Gvir's requested changes to authority
Ben-Gvir called for law enforcement powers in the West Bank to be transferred from the army to the police. He also called for responsibility for the Border Police operating in the area to be transferred from the army to the Israeli police under his ministry.
The Israeli national security minister also demanded that the authority to issue administrative detention orders and administrative restriction orders be taken from the defense minister and the army and given to the national security minister and the police.
Ben-Gvir argued that these powers had not previously been used against “anarchists” and “elements of anti-Zionist movements.” He said it was time to use them against “enemies of the state.” The remarks came amid his repeated criticism of Israeli and foreign activists who support the Palestinians.
Military rule continues in the West Bank
The West Bank has been under military rule since Israel occupied the territory in 1967. Katz's plan envisions transferring procedures involving settlers to the Israeli police while maintaining military rule over the Palestinians.
The 1995 Oslo II Accord divided the West Bank into Areas A, B and C. The Palestinian Authority has full control in Area A. In Area B, civil authority belongs to the Palestinians while security authority belongs to Israel. Area C, which is under Israel's full control, accounts for approximately 60 percent of the West Bank.
Palestinian leadership warns of annexation
Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh described the initiative as an effort to establish Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. Al-Sheikh said the plan would entrench the illegal annexation of the occupied territories and constitute a clear violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions.
Settler population and violence
The Israeli Peace Now movement estimates that approximately 750,000 settlers live in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem. Ben-Gvir, who is known for his support of settlers, rejects characterizing settler attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank as acts of violence.
On August 12, the United Nations warned that violence by settlers seizing Palestinian land in the West Bank had reached unprecedented levels. The international community considers Israeli settlements established in the occupied territories to be contrary to international law.
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