Israel approves 'national guard' sought by far-right security minister

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

3 minute read
April 2, 2023 2:10 PM EDT
Last Updated 2 hours ago

Israel approves 'national guard' sought by far-right security minister

By Dan Williams

JERUSALEM, April 2 (Reuters) - Israel authorised on Sunday setting up a national guard within the ministry of far-right security chief Itamar Ben-Gvir, who has said it would focus on Arab unrest, while political rivals accused him of setting up a sectarian "militia".

The previous government had begun moves to set up an auxiliary police force to tackle internal political violence following pro-Palestinian protests in mixed Jewish-Arab areas during the Gaza Strip war of May 2021. That government fell before the force was finalised.

The exact powers of the new national guard will be discussed by a committee comprised of all Israeli security agencies, which will submit recommendations within 90 days, the prime minister's office said in a statement.

The committee will propose whether to place the national guard under the command of the Israeli police inspector general or another body, it said.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-approves-national-guard-sought-by-far-right-security-minister-2023-04-02/

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