Ex-Navy chief Marom: Police should handle unrest in West Bank, not drafted soldiers

Former Israel Navy commander Eliezer Marom has strongly criticized the deployment of IDF soldiers to manage unrest in the West Bank village of Qusra, calling the situation "shocking" and detrimental to Israel's international standing. He argued that police forces, specifically the Border Police, are better equipped and trained for such domestic security matters.

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What is happening in Kusra is, in my view, a shocking incident.

Marom emphasized that IDF soldiers, who serve under conscription laws, are primarily trained to confront external enemies, not to act as police officers. "Our children are not trained to operate as police officers," he stated, drawing a parallel to how police handle protests in cities like Bnei Brak. He believes the police should manage the Qusra situation with the same approach.

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A small group of people is managing to tarnish the reputation of an entire country.

The former navy chief expressed concern over a small group of individuals engaging in actions that tarnish the reputation of the entire country, affecting both settlers and the broader context of the settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria. He noted that one of the individuals injured during recent unrest was a US citizen, adding an international dimension to the issue.

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The Border Police are designated to address these situations. IDF soldiers, who are compelled to serve under the draft law, are our children; they aren’t trained to operate as police officers. They are here to confront external enemies.

Addressing reports about Hamas rebuilding its capabilities and fears of a repeat of the October 7 attacks, Marom dismissed these assessments. He asserted that the IDF's current strategic positioning on the "Yellow Line" creates a significant perimeter, posing no immediate danger of another large-scale attack. He believes there is no risk of another October 7 at this time.

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I believe the Israel Police should manage this incident in the same manner they handle haredi demonstrations in Bnei Brak.