Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT)

The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) is responsible for implementing the civilian policy in Judea and Samaria and towards the Gaza Strip, in coordination and cooperation with officials from defense and government offices in various fields. The unit is subordinate to Israel's Minister of Defense and to the Major General of the unit, who is a member of the General Staff of the IDF. Major General Yoav (Poly) Mordechai currently holds this position as Coordinator since January 2014.

COGAT is responsible for coordination and liaison with the Palestinian Authority and in conjunction with the Palestinian population living in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip, serving as a major information source for the Palestinian sector.

As part of the unit’s activities, it promotes humanitarian projects, the economic and infrastructure field; and among others, which are in cooperation with the international community to develop and improve the standard of living for  Palestinians living in these regions.

The Coordination for Government Activities in the Territories School for Coordination and Liaison teaches the units soldiers and commanders in the following fields: Islam, government, English and Arabic, culture, history, and varying fields such as economy, citizenship and humanitarian issues. The School is run in coordination with the IDF and teaches the soldiers all the necessary challenges they may face.

Civilian Coordination

This department is responsible for creating and maintaining connections with its Palestinian counterparts, as well as working directly with the Palestinian population of Judea and Samaria. Additionally, representatives from the Civil Coordination Department work with representatives of the Palestinian Civil Committee in the Gaza Strip for the welfare of the residents living there. These activities are conducted in correspondence with representatives of the Palestinian District Coordination Offices (DCO) to coordinate the following needs for Palestinian residents: medical treatment in Israel, coordination of medical equipment, commercial and economic development; conducting joint conferences on professional matters such as medicine, agriculture, veterinary medicine and more.

In addition, the licensing center for entry into Israel within the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria and the Coordination and Liaison Administration of Gaza operate 24/7 to address humanitarian inquiries and to fulfill requests of both the Palestinian population and the international community.

Security Coordination

In Judea and Samaria, there is constant security coordination between the Israeli Security Forces (such as the IDF and the Israeli Police) and the Palestinian Security Forces. Maintaining security coordination is essential for both sides—these forces help preserve the stability of the security situation in Judea and Samaria. Both sides constantly collaborate together in meetings, seminars and joint trainings to strengthen and improve security cooperation to maintain the security security status quo.

In regards to the Gaza Strip, all security coordination was immediately halted after the 2007 takeover by Hamas terror organization. Security coordination was halted in accordance with government policy, resulting strictly in the coordination of civil matters. All coordination is conducted through the Civil Committee, which is a representative of the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip.

International Organizations

The Department for Coordination and Liaison in association with international organizations operates in close cooperation with the international community found in the region, in order to promote and advance internationally funded projects for the welfare of the population.

Over 200 international organizations are operating in Judea and Samaria and in the Gaza Strip, which include UN agencies, government assistance agencies and NGOs, operate in Judea and Samaria and in the Gaza Strip.

The support of the international community is reflected in 3 key areas: to support the budget of the Palestinian Authority, to assist in building and strengthening the capacities of the population and promoting infrastructure projects in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip.