Former senior officials in the security, justice and science systems, as well as members of the Commanders for Israel's Security movement, have appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar with a demand to declare the Hilltop Youth a terrorist organization. The reasoning behind the request claims that "for years, the Hilltop Youth, and anyone acting on their behalf or at their behest, have been harassing the Palestinian civilian population in the West Bank that has nothing to do with hostile activity against Israel or its citizens." It was also written that there is "political backing from key ministers in the government and with the turning of a blind eye and sometimes even encouragement from the prime minister and defense minister and the regional councils," and according to them also "direct and indirect funding transferred by the government."