Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon has instructed Israel Defense Forces commanders across Judea and Samaria to accelerate the razing of illegally built structures in settlements and outposts where security forces meet violence from extremists, Army Radio reported Wednesday.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon – Photo: Dudi Vaaknin

According to the report, the order, which was given in a closed forum, extends to police and Civil Administration forces in the area as well.

Ya’alon had previously assured the High Court of Justice that any new structure illegally built in Judea and Samaria would be razed before it was inhabited. The order places structures in outposts the defense establishment defines as “violent” at risk of immediate demolition.

The settlers’ leaders have been briefed on the policy in a recent meeting held between them and senior IDF officials. GOC Central Command Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon had met with the settlers’ leaders ahead of Passover, following the violent clashes that took place in Yitzhar two weeks ago, and informed them that enforcing the order would become a priority wherever settlers harm security forces.

The aftermath of the settler attack on the IDF post – Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit

According to the report, Ya’alon’s new policy further seeks to back a recent decision by the Civil Administration to raze the illegally built home of a known right-wing activist in the Kida outpost, in the Binyamin region, after Civil Administration officers encountered violence by the outpost’s settlers.

The policy was already being implemented on the ground, and the demolition of an illegal building in Yitzhar following the vandalizing of Samaria Brigade Commander Col. Yoav Yarom’s car had, in fact, been the catalyst for the violent clash between the settlement’s residents and security forces.

Army Radio noted that the Defense Ministry was unavailable for comment.