“Rule and law in the Occupied Territory of Gaza Strip and Northern Sinai” is an 8-page document prepared in August 1967 by Col. Ben-Ari, legal advisor of Israel Police. The document, intended to prepare officers of the Israel Police to their service in the newly Occupied Territories, briefly describes occupation law, legal status of the police in the occupied territories and the legal systems there.
Among other things, the legal advisor explained the military government’s duties towards the population of the occupied territories: “the IDF, as an enlightened occupier, and Israel as a state of law and culture, cannot be content with securing their own selfish interests alone. International law requires an occupying army to protect the rights of the occupied civilians; work towards [restoring] normal life of the population and ensure the necessary civilian services. This is, usually, also the in the interest of the occupying army.”
