The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) – the body responsible for implementing the government's policy in the West Bank and Gaza Strip – has issued a new pin for its soldiers, in which two hands lock together to form a handshake.
COGAT constitutes the civilian authority in the West Bank and is responsible for Israeli settlements in the West Bank, as well as Israel's ongoing security cooperation with Palestinian security forces.
Insignia of peace: COGAT's new pin
Brig. Gen. Yoav (Poly) Mordechai, who heads the unit, revealed the new insignia during a ceremony Tuesday and soldiers will only wear it during official ceremonies.
The pin, Mordechai explained, symbolizes the coordination between the government, the defense establishment, the international community and of course the Palestinians themselves.
"The new COGAT pin symbolizes and expresses the difference aspects of coordination which characterizes the unit," said Mordechai, who previously served as the IDF's spokesperson.
"It should serve as a source of inspiration and pride for the unit's soldiers and officers, who work day in and day out, around the clock, in the field together with (IDF) forces who perform their duty with professionalism and determination, while displaying responsibility and assertiveness," he added.
The unit's work involves working with Palestinian and Israeli counterparts in both military and civilian capacities to manage the day to day affairs in the West Bank. Many times this involves working with Palestinians security forces to quell riots in the territory, which involves delicate political maneuvering on the part of COGAT.
They also assist scores of Palestinians who enter Israel for medical treatment, as well as dealing with Palestinians' work permits.