The Israel Police last week swore in the members of a brand-new first-response unit in a ceremony at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron.
The Judea and Samaria District’s YATAR unit comprises volunteers who reside in district communities, according to police.
The unit was established as a strategic initiative in the aftermath of the Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, with the goal of providing a quick, professional and effective response to any terror scenario or criminal incident, and to strengthen the personal sense of security for residents, police said.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said, “This isn’t just another Kitat Konenut [community rapid response team], it is a specialized unit whose familiarity with the area, the civilians and the high-risk zones makes it the first line of defense in real time,” said Ben-Gvir.
He added that the unit represents Zionism, the strengthening of sovereignty and governance in Judea and Samaria, and is a significant component in the deep transformation of security in Judea and Samaria which he said he was leading.
We welcome the launch of YATAR. However, if sovereignty were applied throughout Judea and Samaria, civilians would not need to be the first line to patrol and defend their communities.