IDF reorganizes security in Jerusalem area to combat terrorism
In an attempt to curb the rising number of terror incidents originating from east Jerusalem and its vicinity, IDF launches plan to consolidate authority over the area while strengthening cooperation with the police, Shin Bet to more effectively tackle the problem.
The IDF has decided to task one regional brigade with security of the entire Jerusalem sector in light of the recent increase in the number of attacks stemming from east Jerusalem and the surrounding area.
The reorganization plan, formulated by GOC Central Command Maj.-Gen. Roni Numa and Judea and Samaria Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Eran Niv, was approved by IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot.
Until now, Binyamin Brigade Commander Col. Yuval Gez has been responsible for the area north of Jerusalem while Etzion Brigade Commander Col. Sharon Assman has been responsible for the area south of the capital, near Bethlehem.
IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ronen Manelis said that the organizational-operational change will not affect the capital proper, which are currently under the responsibility of the Israel Police and the Border Police, and that the IDF will not take on security of any new areas in Greater Jerusalem.
Another issue that the security establishment will attempt to tackle is Israeli Arabs who commit criminal or security offenses in Israeli territory and flee prosecution by hiding in West Bank cities, or Palestinians who carried out terror attacks in the West Bank and then flee to east Jerusalem.
Under the reorganization, responsibility over the northern Binyamin region will be transferred to the regional brigades of Ephraim and Samaria, with the city of Ramallah remaining under the responsibility of the Binyamin Brigade.
Villages such as Abu Dis and Azariya, which are adjacent to Jerusalem, will be transferred from the responsibility of the Etzion Brigade to the responsibility of the Binyamin Brigade.
The plan will be implemented in three stages over the next six months, and will also include personnel changes among commanders in the West Bank. Col. Assman will replace Col. Gez as Binyamin Brigade commander while Lt. Col. David Shapira (formerly battalion commander of Shimshon) will be promoted and take Assman's place as Etzion Brigade commander. Lt. Col. Sagiv Dahan will be also promoted and will serve as the next commander of the Samaria Brigade.
Brig. Gen. Manelis further stated that responsibility for the crossings currently under control of the Border Police would not change.
