The far-right Otsuma Yehudit Party has secured its promise to control the main police force in a coalition agreement with the Likud Party, launching a massive national police campaign to “restore security” and turning a huge police force into The presiding officer confirmed that police spending will increase.
In addition to the laws already passed in the Knesset, the coalition agreement gives Otsma Yehudit’s leader and next Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Guvir unprecedented powers over law enforcement.
The supranationalist party also got a pledge to advance legislation to change the legal responsibility of soldiers and security personnel for their actions on the job. Introduce the death penalty for terrorists. Deprive “terrorists” of their citizenship and deport them. Consider the possibility of downgrading prison conditions for Palestinian security prisoners. Prohibits the use of the Palestinian flag by state-funded agencies and municipalities.
Coalition agreements are not legally binding and their terms may not always be enforced.
police power
One of the most important aspects of the Otzma Yehudit Union Agreement is the provision that removes the entire Border Police, the gendarmerie, from the powers of the Israel Police and places them under the direct control of the Minister of National Security.
Previously, Ben Gvir was thought to be given greater jurisdiction over the West Bank border police, normally under the authority of the defense minister. A broader provision to remove all units from under the chief of police and give direct control to the minister was first revealed on Wednesday when the full deal was made public.
The relevant provisions of the Coalition Agreement will pass government resolutions within 90 days of the formation of the new government to significantly strengthen the Israeli National Guard force, which is composed of the recently created Border Police Force, through a dedicated budget and organizational infrastructure. I am asking for
In that government resolution, the border police were separated from the Israeli police and turned into an “independent service” and ” [national security] Minister. ”
Israeli border guards in the West Bank city of Hebron on October 12, 2022. (Wisam Hashlamoun/Flash90)
The border police then responded directly to the minister, responsible for quelling Palestinian riots and protests and conducting sensitive operations in the West Bank, which could play a bigger role in dealing with future internal unrest. Gives ministers the power to control the units they carry out.
National Police Security Campaign
Another key provision of Otzma Yehudit’s agreement with Likud was to “restore personal security” across the country, “eradicate nationalist crime” and “defend internal fronts that may open during civil war.” It promises to launch a broad national policing effort to “be prepared to deal with it.” emergency. “
Planned policing operations will begin following passage of a government resolution within 60 days of the government’s establishment and will include the confiscation of illegal weapons and a “focus on restoring order…”. “nationalist assault, agroterrorism”, and “to create forces to deal with strategic threats on the internal front in times of war.” [military] surgery. “
Much of this seems to focus on what Otsma Yehudit and his ultranationalist ally religious Zionism perceive to be a threat to Jews from Israel’s Arab citizens. also mentions the possibility of a repeat of the events of May 2021. In May 2021, widespread unrest in Arab communities and mixed cities led to riots and inter-ethnic violence involving Arab and Jewish hooligans.
In September of this year, religious Zionist leader Bezalel Smotik expressed concern that Arab citizens could act as a fifth column against Jewish Israelis during a war with a foreign enemy.
The law, passed at Ben Gvir’s request Wednesday morning, gives far-right leaders broad political control over the Israeli police force, including the ability to direct police policy in general, and the minister’s oversight over investigative policy. Increased influence.
Otma Yehudit party leader MK Itamar Ben Gubil and police chief Kobi Shabtai during a special committee of the Israeli parliamentary Knesset in Jerusalem on December 14, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Police Spending Increases Significantly
The Ministry of National Security, run by Ben Gvir as Minister, will also see a significant increase in budget allocations, with an increase of NIS 45 billion ($12.7 billion) over the next seven years. These funds will be used to strengthen infrastructure and manpower within units belonging to the ministry, as well as to train and increase salaries of police personnel.
Reduce Liability and Relax Open Fire Regulations?
Another article stipulates that a law will be passed to “establish arrangements” for the legal liability of soldiers and security personnel for their actions while on duty. This is consistent with a request made by Otsuma Yehudit during the campaign to keep security personnel immune from prosecution for actions that would be illegal under current law.
At the same time, the coalition agreement says Minister Ben Gubir will consider the possibility of relaxing open fire restrictions for security personnel. Ben Gvir has repeatedly claimed that security forces have been limited in their ability to adequately combat Palestinian terrorism, but Public Security Minister Omer Barlev has denied such claims.
Law on Execution of Terrorists and Deportation of Terrorists
Otzma Yehudit’s coalition agreement also calls for legislation imposing the death penalty on terrorists, which must be passed before the 2023 budget is approved. This clause does not provide a definition of who is defined as a terrorist.
At the same time, another article calls for legislation to be passed that would allow “terrorists” to be disenfranchised and deported. Again, no definition provided.
In an interview with Channel 13 earlier this year, Ben Gvir said those who threw stones or Molotov cocktails at Israeli security forces could be included in deportation.
A Palestinian youth throws stones at Israeli security forces during an assault on the West Bank village of Salem near Nablus on December 14, 2022. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90)
Prison conditions downgraded for Palestinian prisoners
One of the most sensitive provisions of the Otsuma Agreement includes a promise to consider the possibility of downgrading prison conditions for Palestinian security prisoners. Ben Gvir is a frequent critic of the comfortable conditions enjoyed by convicted Palestinian terrorists, and last year refused to provide meat or chicken to such prisoners while they were in prison. , in 2007 he introduced a bill limiting him to one visit.
The terms of the coalition agreement more vaguely state that Otsma Yehudit and Likud “believe that the conditions of security prisoners should be changed” and that the security cabinet must hear on the issue within 90 days of the formation of the government. It only guarantees that the meeting will be held.
Drop from Deal: Allow Racist to Run for Knesset
Despite media reports (based on the party’s own statements) that the coalition agreement would include a provision allowing those deemed to have instigated racial hatred to run for the Knesset, this provision was finalized. It was not included in the agreement.
However, the agreement also contained a promise to enact amendments to facilitate the banning of political parties or candidates to the Knesset if they rejected Israel’s status as a Jewish and democratic state. It contains. This could jeopardize the ability of some Arab political parties to stand for election. Because some political parties explicitly support policies to strip Israel of its official Jewish character.
Palestinian flag ban, tax on donations from foreign governments
The agreement states that legislation will be advanced banning the use of the Palestinian flag in state-funded institutions or local government authorities.
Another legislative commitment is to pass a law imposing a 20% tax on donations from foreign governments to Israeli NGOs. The proposal highlights alleged abuses of Palestinians and Israeli Arab citizens, and appears to be aimed at Israel’s numerous civil and human rights groups, which are routinely denounced by the right to such activities. be
To mark Jerusalem Day on May 29, 2022, Palestinians hoist their national flags on the fence opposite Israelis hoisting their flags in the Old City of Jerusalem at the Damascus Gate. (Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)
