politics
Israeli military plans to transfer law enforcement in occupied West Bank to police
Palestine’s vice-president calls plan ‘flagrant violation of international law’ and a step towards full Israeli annexation
TL;DR
- Israel's defense minister plans to transfer law enforcement powers for Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank to the police.
- Palestine's vice-president describes the plan as a 'flagrant violation of international law' and a move towards annexation.
- Human rights lawyer Michael Sfard suggests the transfer could be a significant step towards formal annexation, potentially absolving the army of responsibility.
- The plan is announced amidst a settler siege in the Palestinian village of Qusra, where the army has been criticized for inaction.
- There has been a surge in attacks on Palestinians and new settlements in the occupied West Bank.
- Israel celebrated the re-establishment of an evacuated settlement, with the defense minister stating they are 'staying forever'.
- Recent data indicates significant displacement of Palestinian communities due to state and settler violence.
- Israeli gunmen opened fire on unarmed Israeli and Palestinian activists attempting to reclaim Palestinian land, with journalists and a bishop also targeted.