Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has ordered the military to prepare a plan to transfer civilian law-enforcement responsibilities in the occupied West Bank to the Israeli police, a move Palestinian officials and analysts have condemned as a step towards formalizing Israel’s control over the territory.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the directive followed criticism of the military’s handling of Israeli settlers who recently besieged a Palestinian home in the village of Qusra.
Katz defended the proposed change, arguing that the military should focus on combating what Israel describes as Palestinian terrorism rather than dealing with civilian offences involving Israeli settlers.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Israeli police would establish a dedicated force to handle civilian law-enforcement matters in the West Bank.
However, Palestinian officials and several analysts have warned that the transfer could accelerate what they describe as the de facto annexation of the occupied territory and increase settler violence against Palestinians.
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, described Israeli settlers as a major force behind what he called the annexation and “Judaization” of the West Bank.
He argued that placing greater security authority in the hands of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich oversees settlement-related affairs, would effectively strengthen settler control over the territory.
Mohanad Mustafa, an academic and researcher in Israeli affairs, said the proposed transfer could fundamentally change how Israel administers the West Bank.
According to him, replacing military enforcement with a civilian police structure would amount to treating the West Bank as though it were part of Israel rather than occupied territory.
Mustafa also warned that the arrangement could give Israeli police greater authority to support settlers and intensify restrictions and pressure on Palestinians.
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Palestinian leaders have strongly condemned the move. Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee, described it as a violation of international agreements and an attempt to impose Israeli law and sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Hamas also criticized the directive, calling it a dangerous move towards de facto annexation and warning that it could provide greater protection for attacks allegedly carried out by Israeli settlers.
Analysts have also raised concerns that reducing the military’s direct involvement in civilian enforcement could further empower settler groups.
Nihad Abu Ghosh, an expert in Israeli affairs, described some settler groups as increasingly organized militia formations and argued that their activities could contribute to what he called a gradual annexation of Palestinian territory.
Shadi al-Shurafa, another researcher in Israeli affairs, said the proposed system could create different legal realities for Palestinians and Israeli settlers living in the same territory.
He described the situation as a form of segregation, alleging that Palestinians could increasingly be subjected to a different and more restrictive legal framework.
Other analysts warned that the policies could contribute to the displacement of Palestinians into increasingly isolated communities.
Adel Shadid, an expert in Israeli affairs, argued that the situation had moved beyond the question of annexation towards creating conditions that could pressure Palestinians to leave their homes.
The proposed transfer has also renewed criticism of the international community’s response to developments in the West Bank.
Some analysts accused the United States and other international actors of failing to take sufficient action to prevent the expansion of Israeli control and settler activity in the occupied territory.
Andrew Whitley, a former United Nations official and Chair of Trustees of the Britain Palestine Project, described the proposed transfer as illegal and called for stronger international measures.
He warned that the Palestinian state was gradually disappearing and urged governments to move beyond statements of concern and take concrete action.
The proposed transfer of civilian law enforcement to the Israeli police is expected to remain a major point of contention as Palestinian officials, Israeli authorities and international actors debate the future legal and political status of the occupied West Bank.
Al Jazeera
