Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Adjunct Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich last Thursday signed an agreement. This is in keeping with the coalition agreement between Likud and Religious Zionism, regulating the division of powers between them regarding managing Judea and Samaria.
According to the agreement, most of the powers of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria will be transferred to Smotrich, including the central supervision unit responsible for enforcing construction laws. However, Gallant will have the authority to exercise enforcement against illegal construction defined as a “fresh incursion,” and demolishing it constitutes “security urgency.” Still, Smotrich must be informed ahead of such action.
Now that powers have been officially transferred, it is mandatory that Jews in Judea and Samaria receive the protection and services they need and that they be allowed to develop the land. We trust that Israel can look forward to Jews being treated with the respect they deserve and not like terrorists.