An Israeli defense official says the military is temporarily suspending its contentious policy of demolishing illegally built Palestinian homes in the West Bank.

The official says the head of the territory's military administration issued this order after determining the policy is not equally enforced against illegally built Jewish settler homes.

The Palestinians have bitterly complained that demolitions are arbitrary and lopsided and that it's difficult for them to get Israeli construction permits.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the order, which was issued in an internal memorandum. He didn't say how long the order would last.
A statement from the military administration says it's committed to equal enforcement.