Tensions Rise Between West Bank Police and Shin Bet Amid Surge in Jewish Settler Attacks

Underlying mistrust among agencies threatens efforts against Jewish terrorism in the region

There’s growing tension between the Shin Bet’s unit handling Jewish attacks and the Israel Police’s West Bank team, compromising strategies to tackle escalating acts of violence and vandalism committed by extreme right-wing activists against Palestinians.

According to various insiders who talked to Haaretz, friction has ramped up lately, particularly over the case involving Avishai Mualem, the former leader of the police’s central investigations in the West Bank.

Mualem stands accused of purposely ignoring critical intelligence from the Shin Bet regarding Jewish terror incidents and leaking sensitive information to Itamar Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister. It’s suggested he did this to boost his chances of a promotion to deputy police commissioner.

Sources indicate that Shin Bet operatives now prefer to avoid phone discussions with their counterparts in the West Bank Police due to a fallout relating to recorded calls with a former head of their Jewish Division identified only as “A.,” who had to step down.

Currently, both organizations combating Jewish terrorist activities are without strong leadership. The Mualem situation lit a fire under existing issues, leading to the failure to appoint a new lead for the police’s central investigative unit, which should oversee nationalist crimes.

Accusations are also swirling regarding Mualem’s apparent neglect of far-right extremist conduct during his time in charge. This lacked accountability wasn’t new, as the unit’s been jumping between acting commanders. Meanwhile, there’s been no new head assigned to the Jewish Division within the Shin Bet since “A.” left.

While both agencies aim to convey cooperation, numerous high-ranking sources reveal a lack of trust in Judea and Samaria District Commander Moshe Pinchi from Shin Bet; his past role as Ben-Gvir’s security aide fuels apprehension regarding his biases.

A meeting initiated by the regional commander descended into chaos, penned with shouting between Pinchi and Shin Bet agents, per prior reports from Haaretz.

The police are increasingly pushing for better cooperation, seeking direct access to Shin Bet’s intelligence captured on far-right activists, and suggesting they should manage informants on these individuals closely. The Shin Bet is staunch against this idea, asserting it should maintain lattice over such sensitive operational details.

Rooting these conflicts is not merely jealousy over authority but profound mistrust within Shin Bet about potential intelligence leaks to the police. The Mualem episode had already seen classified data breach into Ben-Gvir’s hands.

In closed talks, Commander Pinchi expressed annoyance that the police bear the brunt of criticism when Jewish terror actions occur, yet aren’t sanctioned to take broadened measures against the offenders.

As one senior police insider candidly said, “The Shin Bet doesn’t want the police to manage our sources in the West Bank, which I get, but then they complain when violence breaks out without warning.”

Pinchi suggested forming a clear protocol embedding interaction between the police, Shin Bet, and the IDF’s Central Command to bring essential order. However, a Shin Bet official mirrored that, “After Avishai recorded everything and toppled the command structure, trust in the police plummeted. So why would they expect a protocol? The mistrust flows in both directions.”

In discussions closed to the public, Central Command Chief, Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, has largely taken Shin Bet’s side, leaving Pinchi frustrated by perceived Shin Bet limitations while confronting finger-pointing for violent incidences.

As a senior defense official put it, “The rift among high-ranking officials is deepening, crippling our ability to effectively dive into the fight against terror. Ultimately, we keep facing the fallout after incidents like arson attacks or shooting at Palestinians. We all play a part, but right now responsibility slips on Shin Bet.”

Lack of active leadership plagues both units. Senior police officials state, “We haven’t had proper authority in the Central Investigations Unit for three years.” Additionally, Shin Bet hasn’t indicated any move to fill the gap from “A.” or find leadership for the Gaza Strip unit.

Both agencies await the next appointment of a Shin Bet head to s d Ronen Bar, as they grapple with the existing rise in Jewish terror cases in the West Bank left practically unchecked.

According to a unified statement from Shin Bet and Israel Police, “Our teamwork in confronting threats to Israel’s security remains active and robust.”

They further mentioned, “Claims to assert a dissonance between the Shin Bet’s Jewish Division and police’s West Bank District misinterpret the current team spirit saw both bodies cooperating keenly, particularly in recent weeks.”

“The Shin Bet and Israel Police District in the West Bank will persist in their aligned fight against extremist terrorists operating on the ground.”