‘Spearhead of annexation’: Israel hands West Bank rule to civilian police | Human Rights News
Concerns Rise Over Potential Israeli Annexation of West Bank
Palestinian politicians and analysts are expressing alarm over what they perceive as Israel’s intentions to unlawfully annex the occupied West Bank through a series of decisions framed under various rationales.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has directed the military to develop a plan for transferring civilian law enforcement responsibilities in the West Bank to the Israeli police. This decision comes on the heels of criticism regarding the military’s response to Israeli settlers who besieged a Palestinian home in the village of Qusra.
Katz defended the move, asserting, “The army’s role is to combat Palestinian terrorism and not chase hilltop youth.” The Israeli Defense Ministry announced plans for a specialized police unit to manage these civilian security matters.
However, Palestinian leaders and an array of political experts warn that this structural change could accelerate what they characterize as annexation, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing. Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, described Israeli settlers as being at the forefront of the annexation effort, drawing historical comparisons to the mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948.
Barghouti cautioned that placing oversight of security with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and the management of illegal settlements under Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich effectively transfers control of the West Bank to settlers. He characterized the situation as an “open war on the population,” asserting that “the actual ruler in the West Bank is the known fascist terrorist Smotrich.”
De Facto Annexation
Analysts argue that transitioning from military rule to civilian law fundamentally changes the legal landscape of the territory. Mohanad Mustafa, an academic specializing in Israeli affairs, noted that this decision effectively erases recognized borders and indicates that the Israeli government no longer considers the West Bank as an occupied territory.
“This means that the government has annexed the West Bank,” he said, asserting that the shift releases the military from its obligations under international law. He warned that Ben-Gvir, known for overseeing the demolition of numerous Arab homes, would use this authority to further enable settler violence against Palestinians.
Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s executive committee, condemned the mandate as a violation of international agreements, framing it as an attempt to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This sentiment was echoed by Hamas, which described the order as a step toward de facto annexation that facilitates violence by settlers.
Fascist Militias and Legal Frameworks
The Palestinian Authority has charged the Israeli government with enabling violence from settlers, with even some Israeli lawmakers claiming the military is complicit. Experts stress that relieving the military of its responsibilities essentially legitimizes settler violence, effectively integrating them into state actions.
Nihad Abu Ghosh, an analyst on Israeli affairs, remarked on the evolving role of settlers, likening them to “fascist militia formations” that undertake actions typically associated with state interests. He warned that these groups are engaged in activities that circumvent laws and regulations, contributing to gradual annexation.
The implementation of a dual legal framework arising from this shift has drawn significant criticism both locally and internationally. Researcher Shadi al-Shurafa characterized the situation as a clear manifestation of apartheid, noting that it creates a regime of segregation operating under two distinct legal systems based on ethnicity.
International Implications
Analysts have pointed to the role of the international community, particularly the United States, in facilitating this shift. Some, like Adel Shadid, contend that U.S. condemnations of settler violence are insufficient and serve merely to obscure deeper strategic alignments between the U.S. and Israel.
Andrew Whitley, a former United Nations official, called for immediate international intervention, denouncing the planned transfer of authority as “completely illegal.” He emphasized the urgency of global action, urging the international community to move beyond passive condemnation and to implement concrete measures to oppose further encroachments on Palestinian territory.
