**Defense Minister Katz Responds to Criticism:**
The handling of the serious violence perpetrated by a handful of Jewish rioters in Judea and Samaria must fall entirely under the responsibility of the Israel Police’s Judea and Samaria District — including prevention, investigation, and prosecution.
The IDF should not and cannot engage in civilian law enforcement. Its role is to fight Palestinian terrorism and protect Israel’s borders, as well as the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and along the Seam Line.
In accordance with my directive, the IDF has prepared a comprehensive plan to regulate civilian law enforcement activities in Judea and Samaria. The plan establishes a division of responsibilities between the IDF’s authority in the area and the transfer of actual civilian law enforcement responsibilities to the Israel Police’s Judea and Samaria District.
The plan does not include recommendations to reinstate administrative detention orders against Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria — a draconian measure that I abolished upon taking office as Defense Minister and have no intention of restoring.
Administrative detention orders are not the solution. Strong and effective police enforcement is.
I have agreed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to work toward implementing the plan as soon as possible, including facilitating dialogue and coordination between the IDF and the Israel Police, and allocating the necessary budgetary and personnel resources to the police’s Judea and Samaria District to carry out this mission.