Police "not responsible", IDF fails to prevent: the failure to enforce violence in the West Bank

Idan Blumehof's report analyzes the ongoing failure of the IDF and police to enforce the law against nationalist crime by Jews in Judea and Samaria, against the backdrop of the attack on a Washington Post photographer and foreign diplomats last weekend. Sources point to gaps in authority, manpower shortages, and political backing for the rioters.

Idan Blumehof's report on ynet analyzes the ongoing failure of the IDF and police to enforce the law against nationalist crime by Jews in Judea and Samaria. Two exceptional incidents last weekend illustrate the problem: the attack on a Washington Post photographer in Abu Falah and the attack on French and Belgian diplomats in the village of Taybeh. A security establishment source explains that the IDF is prohibited from gathering intelligence on Jews, and its toolbox is limited. The police claim they have no authority to operate in Area B without military escort, and that operational responsibility for prevention lies with the IDF. The State Comptroller warned as early as 2018 of the need to regulate the division of responsibility. The IDF says at least 10 additional battalions are needed. The report notes that over 70 indictments were filed in the past year, but there is still difficulty in exhausting the legal process.