Tel Aviv, July 16 -- The Knesset passed into law a bill that transforms the municipal policing system into a local policing system established by law, with increased enforcement authority.

In Israel, the police are national; however, some cities have a local force. But these local police are not comprised of police officers with the same level of authority in law enforcement as the national police have.

"This is a strategic and profound change, which makes a real leap forward in enforcement systems in local authorities," said the Ministry of National Security, which also called the move historic.

The law includes the following changes: A "significant" expansion in the powers of the inspectors, who will now be able to actually assist th...