National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir published a statement Monday afternoon responding to Defense Minister Israel Katz's initiative to transfer enforcement powers in Judea and Samaria from the IDF to the police. Ben Gvir demanded that operational responsibility for the Border Police (Magav) in the area be moved from the IDF to the Israel Police per the coalition agreement, and that authority for administrative detentions and restrictions be transferred from the Defense Minister and IDF to the National Security Minister and police. He said the measures would advance Israeli sovereignty and should be used against 'anarchists and anti-Zionist elements.'
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir detailed his specific demands for the transfer of enforcement powers in Judea and Samaria, in a statement issued Monday afternoon. He is demanding operational control over the Border Police (Magav) in the area and the authority to impose administrative detentions and restrictions — powers currently held by the Defense Minister and the IDF. The demands follow his earlier response today at 15:44 Jerusalem to Defense Minister Israel Katz's initiative, and come after Ben Gvir first backed Katz's plan on Sunday.
The Zioneer reported on Sunday, Aug 16, at 14:03 Jerusalem that Katz ordered the IDF to submit a plan within two weeks to transfer civilian enforcement responsibilities to the Israel Police, and also advanced regulations to legalize agricultural farms. Ben Gvir initially expressed support, outlining four implications including the Magav transfer and administrative detention powers, and later confirmed he was responding to Katz's call. Today, before issuing his detailed demands, he stated he was answering Katz's initiative — a development The Zioneer reported at 15:44 Jerusalem.
The demand touches on a long-running legal and political struggle over police independence. As The Zioneer reported, Ben Gvir is facing High Court proceedings with the Attorney General over his involvement in operational police matters, with the Attorney General having demanded his dismissal. Separately, the government has advanced legislation to overhaul the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash), which remains a separate issue from the enforcement transfer proposal.
It remains unclear how Defense Minister Katz will respond to Ben Gvir's specific conditions. The proposal is separate from ongoing legislative efforts regarding Mahash.
7 developments
- DevelopingBen Gvir reportedly moves to transfer local political infrastructure from Religious Zionism to Otzma Yehudit
- StrongBen Gvir: 'For every Jew murdered, the enemy must suffer loss of land and homes'
- DevelopingKatz convenes top security chiefs, orders expansion of offensive operations in Judea and Samaria
- StrongMinister Ben Gvir wishes speedy recovery to Itamar Cohen, who killed terrorists in Judea and Samaria attack
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