The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT; Hebrew: מתאם פעולות הממשלה בשטחים) is a unit in the Israeli Ministry of Defense tasked with overseeing civilian policy in the West Bank, as well as facilitating logistical coordination between Israel and the Gaza Strip.[1] It operates in collaboration with Israeli governmental and defense officials. COGAT operates under the authority of Israel's Minister of Defense and is led by a major general who is part of the general staff of the IDF. Presently, Major General Ghassan Alian holds this position.[2]
COGAT's objective is to advance and execute the policies of the Israeli government concerning civilian affairs, including the facilitation of humanitarian issues, the promotion of humanitarian projects, and the facilitation of infrastructure and financial initiatives.[3] It collaborates with the international community, encompassing governmental and non-governmental organizations, to contribute to the development and enhancement of the living standards of Palestinians residing in the areas it prioritizes.[4][5]
COGAT's headquarters are in the Kirya compound in Tel Aviv. The unit headed by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major-General Ghassan Alian.[6]
Schools
The Coordination for Government Activities in the Territories School for Coordination and Liaison offers educational programs to soldiers and commanders within the unit. These programs cover a range of subjects including Islam, government, English and Arabic languages, culture, and history, as well as other pertinent fields such as economy, citizenship, and current humanitarian issues.[7] These courses aim to equip soldiers and commanders with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively carry out their duties upon completion.[7]
Structure
West Bank/Judea and Samaria
The West Bank/Judea and Samaria branch of COGAT has its headquarters in Beit El, and is headed by Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim.[8]
District Coordination Liaison Offices
COGAT has District Coordination Liaison Offices (DCL) in each of the major districts of the West Bank/Judea and Samaria, and one for the Jerusalem periphery area. The offices are in the cities of Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Ramallah, Jerusalem Periphery, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jericho.[8]
The headquarters has branches for dealing with various issues. Each of these branches is headed by a Lieutenant-Colonel.[8]
Foreign Relations
The Foreign Relations and International Organizations, are responsible for coordinating activities of international organizations.[8]
Economics Branch
The Economics Branch is in charge of coordinating economic and business issues.[8]
Spokesperson
The Spokesperson is in charge of public communication and main stream media.[8]
Public Diplomacy
The public diplomacy branch is in charge of digital strategy and communications.[8]
Infrastructure
The Infrastructure Branch is responsible for coordinating infrastructure-related activities: water, sewage, electricity, communications, construction, and so on, including the building of the Security Barrier[8]
Gaza Strip
Since Israel left Gaza, Israeli COGAT activity in the Gaza Strip has been carried out by the Coordination and Liaison Administration of the Gaza Strip (headed by a Colonel). The C.L.A is located outside of the Gaza Strip adjacent to the Erez Crossing. The C.L.A. is the unit responsible for coordinating access to and from the Gaza Strip, facilitating activities of the International community, and facilitating civilian and humanitarian needs and requirements of the Palestinian population of the Gaza Strip about Israel.[8][9]
International cooperation
As part of its activities with the international community, COGAT is charged with facilitating all activities of international organizations in the West Bank/Judea and Samaria, as well as in Gaza. This coordination is in a variety of matters including infrastructure, education, health care, and housing projects, including the implementation of humanitarian aid programs.[9]
International organizations
The Department for Coordination and Liaison operates in close cooperation with the international community to promote and advance internationally funded aid and welfare projects. Over 200 international organizations are operating in the West Bank/Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip, including UN Agencies, government assistance agencies, and NGOs.[8][9]
Civilian coordination
The civilian coordination department is responsible for the creation and development of connections with its Palestinian counterparts. They also work directly with the civilian population in West Bank/Judea and Samaria. When it comes to the Gaza Strip, members of the Civilian Coordination Department work with representatives of the Palestinian Civil Committee to improve the welfare of their civilians.[10]
Some of the coordination that the Civilian Cooperation department deals with includes but is not limited to medical treatment in Israel, coordination of the entry of medical equipment, and commercial and economic development.[10]
The Civilian Cooperation Department also runs the licensing center for entry permits into Israel within the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria, as well as the Coordination and Liaison Administration of Gaza. This center operates 24/7 to address humanitarian inquiries and fulfill requests.[10]
Security coordination
There is constant security coordination between the various Israeli Security Forces (IDF, Israeli Police) and the Palestinian Security Forces. This coordination is crucial to preserve the stability and security status quo in the West Bank/ Judea and Samaria.[10]
When it comes to the Gaza Strip, after the disengagement and subsequent 2007 takeover by Hamas, security coordination was halted. Thus the only coordination is on civil matters. All coordination is done via COGAT in Israel and the Civil Committee, a representative of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza.[10]
Heads of COGAT
| Date | Head | Palestinian counterpart |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 1967 - Apr 1974 | Shlomo Gazit | None |
| Apr 1974 - Feb 1976 | Rafael Vardi | |
| Feb 1976 - Feb 1979 | Avraham Orly | |
| Feb 1979 - Jan 1982 | Danny Matt | |
| Jan 1982 - Aug 1983 | Rehavia Vardi | |
| Aug 1983 - Apr 1984 | Binyamin Ben-Eliezer | |
| Apr 1984 - Feb 1991 | Shmuel Goren | |
| Feb 1991 - Feb 1995 | Daniel "Danny" Rothschild | |
| Feb 1995 - Feb 1997 | Oren Shachor | Palestinian Authority (following the Oslo II Accord) |
| Feb 1997 - Jul 2001 | Yaakov Or | |
| Jul 2001 - Jul 2003 | Amos Gilad | |
| Jul 2003 - Sep 2008 | Yosef Mishlav | |
| Sep 2008 - 6 Dec 2009 | Amos Gilad | |
| 6 Dec 2009 - 29 Jan 2014 | Eitan Dangot | |
| 29 Jan 2014 - 1 May 2018 | Yoav "Poli" Mordechai | |
| 1 May 2018 - 7 Apr 2021 | Kamil Abu Rokon | |
| 7 Apr 2021 - | Ghassan Alian |
See also
References
- ^ Zitun, Yoav (10 September 2014). "Insignia of peace: New pin for West Bank army administration". Ynetnews. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Druze commander of COGAT addresses people of Gaza". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "INSTITUTIONAL DIMENSION OF ISRAEL PUBLIC DIPLOMACY" (PDF).
- ^ Zitun, Yoav (10 September 2014). "Insignia of peace: New pin for West Bank army administration". Ynetnews. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ "Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories". www.cogat. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
- ^ "Brig. Gen. Ghassan Alian to serve as Israel's military liaison to Palestinians". Times of Israel. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Eglash, Ruth (23 January 2024). "Inside the army unit that handles the humanitarian needs of Gaza civilians". Jewish Insider. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "COGAT to Change Hands: Strategic Implications". www.runi.ac.il. Retrieved 20 June 2024.