Proposed legislation to be submitted to the Ministerial Committee on Legislation Dec. 9 would eliminate Israel’s civil administration in the West Bank. The law, proposed by Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich (HaBayit HaYehudi), already has the support of many of the coalition’s members and ministers, even though it is not based on any need to reduce the defense budget or improve services provided to West Bank residents and make them more efficient. It is little more than another step toward the annexation of territory in the West Bank.
According to the proposed law, powers now held by the civil administration will be transferred to the relevant government ministries, but only for the Jewish residents (West Bank settlers). “Government services for residents of the region who are not Israeli citizens will be granted via the various Regional Liaison administrations,” states Clause 5 of the proposed law. Furthermore, the bill states that the finance minister, in consultation with the Civil Service Commission, will assess the new standards and budgets needed by each ministry. The regional representation offices of the military administration in the West Bank will fall under the responsibility of the different ministries.
