Transferring West Bank enforcement from IDF to police is a mistake without a plan - editorial
Katz has spoken about the transfer as though the fundamental decision has already been made, while the institutions expected to carry it out are still trying to determine whether it is workable.
Defense Minister Israel Katz has proposed transferring responsibility for dealing with Israeli extremist violence in the West Bank from the IDF to the police, but this radical shift should not be announced before thorough planning, particularly in a volatile region like the West Bank. Katz reportedly did not coordinate his proposal with several relevant IDF authorities before making it public, leaving some senior officials uncertain about his plans until a recent meeting.
The plan faces potential legal questions, manpower constraints, operational difficulties, and possible High Court challenges, which could delay, dilute, or block its implementation.
While a defense minister has the right to pursue major reforms, governing requires addressing the necessary work to make an outcome function rather than simply declaring one. The IDF currently has primary responsibility for security and public order in the West Bank, with the police and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) playing parallel roles.
Violent incidents involving Palestinian residents and extremist settlers do not fit neatly into institutional categories. Katz's proposal fails to address this complexity, and recent weeks have shown disturbing examples of extremist settler violence in Kusra, where settlers repeatedly entered a Palestinian village despite a closed military zone order. The military has launched an internal investigation into its handling of these events.
If the police are to take on a larger role, they must have the necessary officers, command structures, and legal authority. Katz risks creating further failure if the transition isn't fully coordinated with the IDF, the attorney-general, and all other bodies that must make critical decisions during violent confrontations. Political considerations also play a role, as Israel heads toward an October 27 election, and the settler movement is an important constituency on the Right.
However, it's concerning when a minister announces a politically convenient transfer of responsibility without resolving operational and legal questions. Ultimately, Israel needs leaders who will own difficult problems until workable solutions are in place.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
