Municipal Elections in Occupied Judea and Samaria
One of the principal functions of military government in an occupied area is to return civil life to its normal course. Such a goal is not only a political objective whose advantages are obvious; it is also based upon the principles of International Law and the Law of Warfare. The military administration bears responsibility for restoring public order and safety and maintaining essential services, so that it may fulfil the civil functions of government for the welfare of the population in the occupied area.In the intricate framework required to supply services to the population of the occupied area by the military administration, the local municipal authorities play a substantial role. These authorities regard themselves as being closer to the residents of the occupied areas, and thus they see it as a moral duty to take care of their population and provide it with daily services.During periods of crises and war the population tends to a greater extent to shut itself within its immediate surroundings and to request aid and encouragement from familiar local bodies; thus it becomes more and more dependent on the local authorities.