Palestinian Authority VP denounces Katz plan to put police in charge of West Bank law enforcement

Palestinian Authority Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh condemns Defense Minister Israel Katz’s plan to transfer the authority to enforce civilian law against Israelis in the West Bank from the IDF to the Israel Police.

In a statement carried by WAFA, the PA’s official news agency, al-Sheikh says the move “represents a new attempt to impose Israeli law and sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to entrench the unlawful annexation of Palestinian territory.”

“Israel has no sovereignty over any part of the territory of the State of Palestine occupied in 1967,” the statement says.

It adds that Al-Sheikh urges “the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to assume its responsibilities, halt these unilateral and dangerous Israeli measures, and compel Israel to comply with international law and international legitimacy resolutions.”

Analysts say it is unlikely that Katz’s broad proclamation is likely to become reality, considering that Israel has no civilian authority in the West Bank since it has never formally annexed it. Such a move would have enormous legal implications and is also likely to face roadblocks since it comes in the lead-up to a national election.