Nima Elbagir on the Israeli justice system in the West Bank

Israel has been operating two distinct justice systems in the West Bank since it captured the area in 1967.  Palestinians living there fall under the jurisdiction of Israel’s military court system, where judges and prosecutors are uniformed Israeli soldiers.  Meanwhile, Jewish settlers there are subject to civilian courts.

A legal adviser at the Israel Defense Forces’ International Law Department told CNN on Wednesday that the different systems were in place because under international law, Israel is not allowed to “export” its own legal system to the West Bank.

B’Tselem, The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, a non-governmental organization, says the courts “serve as one of the central systems maintaining Israel’s control over the Palestinian people.”

~ Nima Elbagir, "Release of Palestinian prisoners sheds light on controversial Israeli justice system in the occupied West Bank," CNN, December 8, 2023

Released Palestinian prisoners near Ramallah