During the visit, the ministers toured several areas, including the communities of Kerem Reim and Sde Ephraim, both recently recognized by the government.
They were joined by Binyamin Regional Council Head Israel Gantz, Central Command Chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, Defense Ministry senior official Yehuda Eliyahu, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, Civil Administration head Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim, Defense Minister’s Military Secretary Brig. Gen. Guy Markizano, Deputy Director General of the Defense Ministry Kobi Blitstein, Deputy Head of Ramat Amit Hillel Roth, and other senior officials.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said:
“Judea and Samaria are the heart of the historical Land of Israel. During Operation ‘Swords of Iron,’ we were once again reminded of the vital security role that Jewish communities in these areas play in defending the core of the country.
The State of Israel will not abandon the security of our residents and will not allow Abu Mazen and the Palestinian Authority to weaponize illegal construction as a strategic threat against our settlements.
Just as we are dismantling Palestinian terror infrastructure in the terror hubs of Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams, so too will we block any attempt by the Palestinian Authority to seize land and undermine Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria.
Our policy is firm, and the instructions to field commanders are clear: step up enforcement, expand oversight, and demolish every illegal structure—without exception.
We will act decisively against both active terrorism and the creeping threat of illegal land grabs. Judea and Samaria are the heartland of Israel, and we will defend them with every means at our disposal.”
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich added:
“Since 1967, we haven’t seen a transformation like this in Judea and Samaria.
The Government of Israel is advancing the development of Jewish communities in the region and will not allow unrestrained illegal Arab construction, which has become a national scourge in recent decades.
Our government has recognized 28 new communities since its inception. We’ve also ramped up enforcement in areas previously overlooked, such as the agreed-upon nature reserve in Firing Zone 918 and other strategic locations.
In the past year, we set a record for demolishing illegal Arab construction in Judea and Samaria. Still, we recognize that to win this battle, we must employ additional strategic tools that will bring about a real transformation.
The settlers are not second-class citizens. This government will ensure they receive the same level of security as any other Israeli citizen.
Judea and Samaria are the cradle of our heritage—the land of the Bible. We are here to stay.”
