It was initially reported that the MSC Talmon – a settlement and community in the northwest of Ramallah, along with the settlements of the Talmon Bloc – was suspected of overstepping his jurisdiction. This follows previous incidents where MSCs from the settlement repeatedly acted beyond their designated authority.
According to reports, the MSC entered the heart of Ramallah in uniform, accompanied by another individual, entirely on his own initiative. They left their designated zone, moving first into Area B and then into Ramallah (Area A), without obtaining the necessary authorization or permission. While there, they engaged in a confrontation with Palestinian police officers and confiscated weapons.
An IDF spokesperson stated: "An initial investigation indicates that the MSC exceeded his authority. The incident will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate measures will be taken. Until the investigation is concluded, the MSC has been suspended."
In response, the Talmon Secretariat issued a statement declaring: "The concept of defense limited to the settlement's fences collapsed in the Gaza envelope. Therefore, it is expected that the MSC will be permitted to operate with greater spatial flexibility."
This statement reflects a fundamental divergence in security policy. While the official stance of the security forces does not align with the actions taken by the MSC, his supporters advocate for a completely different approach – one that echoes a broader ideological push, striving to "the Gazanization of the West Bank."
The incident involving the MSC and his unauthorized entry into Ramallah is not an isolated case. There have been other documented occurrences of rapid-response squads exceeding their legal authority.
One such example is the incident that took place in the village of Jit on August 15, 2024. According to an IDF investigation, approximately 100 masked Israeli settlers entered the village, where they set fire to vehicles and buildings, while also throwing stones and Molotov cocktails.
The investigation revealed that, at the start of the disturbances, several members of a rapid-response squad from the nearby settlement of Havat Gilad arrived at the scene – without authorization. They were wearing uniforms, despite not being on reserve duty. "They acted beyond the defined scope of authority granted to rapid-response squad members," the investigation concluded. Following the inquiry, two members of the squad were dismissed, and their weapons were confiscated.
During the chaos, a 28-year-old resident of Jit was killed, while another was seriously injured. The IDF investigation determined that "the fatality resulted from gunfire by settlers."
The conduct of rapid-response squads and militia-style security forces in the West Bank directly contradicts the official policy of the security forces. In accordance to the formulation of administrative removal orders of Jews from the West Bank, their actions raises "increased concern that they will endanger the residents of the area."
For elaboration: See my origunal article here: "Military Security Coordinators (MSCs) in the West Bank."
