Bennett declares Special Police Unit as national counterterrorism unit

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett declares the Israel Police’s Special Police Unit the national counterterrorism unit, an official designation that comes with both additional responsibilities and funding.

“The unit will be allocated NIS 10 million from the Prime Minister’s Office for 2022 to strengthen the unit, expand the network of troops, enlarge its manpower and upgrade its operational fitness, with an emphasis on weaponry and training facilities,” the Prime Minister’s Office says in a statement about the decision.

With this designation, the Special Police Unit, often referred by its Hebrew acronym Yamam, will be made officially responsible for the country’s counterterrorism operations, for things like hostage situations and dangerous arrest raids.

“Formalizing the status of the Yamam as the national counterterrorism unit is an important force multiplier that will in many ways design the future of the unit for years to come,” Bennett says.