ACT Institution publishes a policy paper on how to bypass the impact of limited legal jurisdiction and halting security coordination on the rule of law in the suburbs of Jerusalem

ACT institution issued a policy paper on how to bypass the impact of limited legal jurisdiction and stop security coordination on the rule of law in the suburbs of Jerusalem, prepared by researcher Jihad Harb as part “Ahl” Project to Promote Civil Peace. This project was implemented in partnership with the Palestinian Police and funded by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The policy paper focused on the challenges facing the rule of law in the suburbs of Jerusalem, such as the cessation of security coordination in criminal matters, the weakness of the legal mandate of the Palestinian Authority, the problem of personal guardianship over Israeli ID holders, the spread of crime, and the limited police capabilities in the suburbs. The paper also discussed some available alternatives to impose the rule of law including the presence of civil guards working in coordination with the police, the presence of security men affiliated with the local bodies, the formation of official local, popular, voluntary committees and the activation of community policing.

The paper concluded by highlighting that the best alternative solution would be activating community police and the judge by establishing community committees called "local councils for civil peace". Since, such civil peace councils are able to create balance under the current circumstances as the citizens want, it provides a direct link between these committees and the police from one hand. On the other hand, these councils will ensure proper measures are put in place where different community groups actively interact and engage in imposing rule of law. Moreover, this alternative is a sustainable solution whether the security coordination is suspended or resumed to its previous state, or police stations were opened in these areas in the future, especially because of its achievable administrative framework according to the decision of the Director General of Police that entails forming local advisory committees in the northern governorates.