Prof. Kobi Michael: The control of the civilian population according to the principles of international law in time of war must be the control of the military commander.
The current hybrid structure involving the Coordinator for Government Activities in the Territories Unit, which belongs to the Israeli Ministry of Defense but is staffed by soldiers, remains untenable.
This entire entity called COGAT has to undergo a process of [becoming] a civilian entity, and subordination to the Ministry of Defense. It should not be part of the army.
During wartime, there must be a clear distinction between an IDF military government and the Civil Administration [a part of COGAT]. In our writings and comments, when we discuss the need for a military government as a need, it is as an organizational expression of the third aspect of military doctrine: control [over territory].
Published in JNS, April 03, 2025.
