Israel transfers West Bank policing to civilian police forces

Jerusalem – The Israeli government announced this week that policing responsibilities in parts of the West Bank will be transferred from the military to civilian security forces under the Ministry of Public Security. The move, which applies to several Area C districts where Israeli settlements are concentrated, is presented by officials as a step toward “normalizing” law‑enforcement services for residents, but it also marks the first large‑scale handover of security duties to non‑military personnel in the occupied territory since the 1967 war.

Human‑rights organizations and Palestinian authorities contend that the shift effectively solidifies a de facto annexation by placing civilian police under Israeli jurisdiction in areas that remain under military occupation, thereby extending Israeli civil law to the region. Critics argue that the new structure could empower settler militias, who have previously operated with limited oversight, by providing them with greater access to local enforcement mechanisms. The United States and European Union have called for a review of the policy, emphasizing the need to preserve the status quo pending a negotiated settlement, while Israeli officials maintain that the change enhances security and public order for all communities in the West Bank.