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{{Short description|Unit in the Israeli Ministry of Defense}}
{{pp-30-500|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}}
[[File:Matpash.png|thumb|Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories logo]]
The '''Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories''' ('''COGAT'''; {{lang-he|מתאם פעולות הממשלה בשטחים}}) is a [[Military unit|unit]] in the Israeli [[Ministry of Defense (Israel)|Ministry of Defense]] that tasked with overseeing civilian policy in the [[West Bank]]/[[Judea and Samaria Area|Judea and Samaria]], as well as facilitating logistical coordination between Israel and the [[Gaza Strip]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zitun |first=Yoav |date=2014-09-10 |title=Insignia of peace: New pin for West Bank army administration |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4569743,00.html |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}</ref> 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 Ghasan Alyan holds this position.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-14 |title=Druze commander of COGAT addresses people of Gaza |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-773228 |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=INSTITUTIONAL DIMENSION OF ISRAEL PUBLIC DIPLOMACY |url=http://fps-visnyk.lnu.lviv.ua/archive/42_2022/29.pdf}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zitun |first=Yoav |date=2014-09-10 |title=Insignia of peace: New pin for West Bank army administration |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4569743,00.html |access-date=2024-06-20 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}}</ref><ref name="cogat.idf.il">{{cite web|title=Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories|url=http://www.cogat.idf.il/896-en/IDFG.aspx|website=www.cogat|access-date=August 6, 2016|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222162537/http://www.cogat.idf.il/896-en/IDFG.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
COGAT's headquarters are in the [[HaKirya|Kirya compound]] in [[Tel Aviv]]. The unit headed by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major-General [[Ghassan Alian]].<ref>{{cite news |date=8 October 2020 |title=Brig. Gen. Ghassan Alian to serve as Israel's military liaison to Palestinians |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/brig-gen-ghassan-alian-to-serve-as-israels-military-liaison-to-palestinians/ |access-date=4 December 2023 |work=Times of Israel}}</ref>
==
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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/coordination-of-government-activities-in-the-territories-cogat |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}</ref> These courses aim to equip soldiers and commanders with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively carry out their duties upon completion.<ref name=":0" />
== Structure ==▼
As part of its activities with the international community, the unit facilitates the activities of international organizations active in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip including in matters pertaining to infrastructure, education, health and housing projects and the implementation of humanitarian aid programs.▼
=== 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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/coordination-of-government-activities-in-the-territories-cogat |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org}}</ref>
=== District Coordination Liaison Offices ===
▲==Structure==
===
▲*The C.A. has District Coordination Liaison Offices (DCL) in each of the major districts of the West Bank, and one for the Jerusalem periphery area. The offices are in the cities of [[Jenin]], [[Nablus]], [[Tulkarm]], [[Qalqilyah]], [[Ramallah]], [[Jerusalem|Jerusalem Periphery]], [[Bethlehem]], [[Hebron]], and [[Jericho]].{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}
▲*The headquarters has branches for dealing with various issues. Each of these branches is headed by a Lieutenant-Colonel.
▲**The Foreign Relations and [[International Organization]]s, responsible for coordinating activities of international organizations.
**The Economics Branch in charge of coordinating economic and business issues.▼
*The Infrastructure Branch, responsible for coordinating infrastructure-related activities: water, sewage, electricity, communications, construction, and so on, including the building of the [[Israeli West Bank barrier|Security Barrier]].▼
===
Ever since the [[Israel's unilateral disengagement plan|Disengagement]], Israeli COGAT activity with regards to the [[Gaza Strip]] is 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 military unit responsible to coordinate access to and from the Gaza Strip, facilitate activities of the International community and facilitate civilian and humanitarian needs and requirements of the Palestinian population of the Gaza Strip with regard to Israel.▼
=== Spokesperson ===
The Spokesperson is in charge of public communication and main stream media.<ref name=":1" />
=== Public Diplomacy ===
The public diplomacy branch is in charge of digital strategy and communications.<ref name=":1" />
=== Infrastructure ===
▲
== Gaza Strip ==
▲
=== International cooperation ===
▲As part of its activities with the international community,
=== 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.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
=== 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.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=COGAT to Change Hands: Strategic Implications |url=https://www.runi.ac.il/en/research-institutes/government/ips/activities/newsletter/milshtein21-12-22e |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=www.runi.ac.il}}</ref>
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.<ref name=":3" />
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.<ref name=":3" />
=== 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.<ref name=":3" />
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.<ref name=":3" />
==See also==
* [[Public diplomacy of Israel]]
{{portal|Israel|Palestine}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Israel Defense Forces}}
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