IDF expands Judea and Samaria security guards authority

(JNS) — An order issued by the Israel Defense Forces this month drastically expands the authority of civilian security guards in Judea and Samaria, allowing them to conduct searches at entrances to Jewish communities even on individuals who do not arouse suspicion.

IDF Central Command head Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth signed the order earlier this month but it only became public this week.

Saying that his action is “necessary for the security of the region, good governance and public order,” Bluth amended IDF Order No. 432, which defines the role of civilian security guards in Judea and Samaria, to allow for “a search on a person’s body, vehicles, baggage and other goods at the entry point to the community,” the text reads.

Entry points were defined in this month’s updated military order as “a permanent checkpoint located at the entrance to an Israeli community.”

Since the start of the month, seven Israelis have been murdered in attacks throughout Judea and Samaria. Many other soldiers and civilians have been wounded, with the IDF now classifying the region as a “combat zone” in light of the recent uptick in acts of terrorism.

In one incident, a terrorist rammed his car through the gate to Karmei Tzur in Judea. A guard drove after the terrorist and crashed into his car, before getting out and shooting and killing him. The vehicle then exploded, and the guard was lightly injured.

According to reports, the Israeli military currently considers Judea and Samaria as the country’s most critical war front after the Gaza Strip.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to add the total defeat of terrorist forces in Judea and Samaria to the official goals of the war against Hamas.

In the first half of 2024, Judea and Samaria saw more than 500 Arab terrorist attacks each month on average, according to figures published on Aug. 1 by Rescuers Without Borders (Hatzalah Judea and Samaria).

During that time period, first responders recorded 3,272 terrorist acts in the region, including 1,868 cases of rock-throwing, 456 attacks with Molotov cocktails, 299 explosive charges and 109 shootings.

Terrorists murdered 14 people and wounded more than 155 others in Judea and Samaria between January and June, the rescue group said.