Katz Transfers West Bank Military Authority to Israeli Occupation Police - Sarmad

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Friday that he had instructed the military to develop a plan to transfer civil law enforcement authority in the West Bank from the army to the police, amid ongoing violence by Israeli settlers in the village of Qusra and warnings that Katz’s decision represents a step toward the annexation of the occupied West Bank.

In a statement, Katz added that, in light of riots carried out by extremists in Qusra, the Defense Ministry is considering a plan to transfer responsibility for enforcing the law against Israelis who commit crimes in the West Bank to the police, which will prepare and establish an appropriate force to handle and address civil matters, and will be granted all necessary authorities and budgets.

The statement further noted that Katz issued the directive following a meeting held on Thursday with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior military officials.