It was recently decided again to establish a National Guard in Israel – but this time, at the demand of the Minister of National Security and as part of a political bargain, separate from the Israeli Police. The intention to establish a National Guard, on the basis of the Border Police, is appropriate and not new. It resurfaced following the riots in the cities with mixed Jewish-Arab populations in May 2021, in response to clashes between Arab and Jewish citizens. Since then, several government decisions have been taken on the subject and the issue is addressed in ongoing staff work in the relevant bodies.
The main question now deals with the apparent possibility that the National Guard will be established and run separately from the Israeli Police, under direct subordination to the Minister of National Security and according to his demands. Professional analysis points to the sweeping conclusion that separation between the police and the National Guard will greatly harm the Israeli Police, further weaken its power to deal with all of its tasks, be very expensive, and create unnecessary awkwardness and difficult organizational and operational obstacles. This in turn will harm both the police and the National Guard, as well as other security and enforcement bodies, including the IDF. The establishment of the National Guard is the right step to take, but the separation from the police is a bad decision that is not at all necessary in terms of operational and enforcement needs. The professional level and the Commissioner should present their opposition to such a move, and the government should reject this proposal. The focus should now be on strengthening the police and establishing the National Guard on the basis of the Israeli Defense Forces, as part of the Israeli Police.
It was recently decided again to establish a National Guard in Israel – but this time, at the demand of the Minister of National Security and as part of a political bargain, separate from the Israeli Police. The intention to establish a National Guard, on the basis of the Border Police, is appropriate and not new. It resurfaced following the riots in the cities with mixed Jewish-Arab populations in May 2021, in response to clashes between Arab and Jewish citizens. Since then, several government decisions have been taken on the subject and the issue is addressed in ongoing staff work in the relevant bodies.
The main question now deals with the apparent possibility that the National Guard will be established and run separately from the Israeli Police, under direct subordination to the Minister of National Security and according to his demands. Professional analysis points to the sweeping conclusion that separation between the police and the National Guard will greatly harm the Israeli Police, further weaken its power to deal with all of its tasks, be very expensive, and create unnecessary awkwardness and difficult organizational and operational obstacles. This in turn will harm both the police and the National Guard, as well as other security and enforcement bodies, including the IDF. The establishment of the National Guard is the right step to take, but the separation from the police is a bad decision that is not at all necessary in terms of operational and enforcement needs. The professional level and the Commissioner should present their opposition to such a move, and the government should reject this proposal. The focus should now be on strengthening the police and establishing the National Guard on the basis of the Israeli Defense Forces, as part of the Israeli Police.