New Israeli Settlement 'Noa' Established in Samaria

The first families have begun settling in Noa, a new Israeli community established in the northern Samaria region, south of the communities of Ginot and Kedumim. According to the Samaria Regional Council, this marks the eighth new settlement established by the council in the area within less than a year. The establishment of Noa follows a decision by the Israeli cabinet approximately one year ago, spearheaded by Ministers Israel Katz and Bezalel Smotrich, as part of the Samaria Regional Council's "Connection Plan." This plan aims to establish 19 new settlements in northern Samaria and is linked to a broader "Million in Samaria" initiative to bring one million residents to the region.

The inauguration ceremony included the affixing of a mezuzah and the dedication of the first residential structures. Attendees at the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, Minister for Settlement and National Missions Orit Strock, Minister for Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism Amichai Chikli, Member of Knesset Boaz Bismuth, and Samaria Regional Council Chairman Yossi Dagan. Noa is located south of Ginot and Kedumim, which were evacuated during the 2005 disengagement and recently re-established.

Samaria Regional Council Chairman Yossi Dagan stated at the event, "In the place where they sought to uproot and expel, we are privileged today to build a new settlement and bring pioneering families to the land. After years of persistent struggle, northern Samaria is rising again." He added, "The establishment of Noa is a triumphant Zionist answer to all who thought settlement would stop. From the four evacuated settlements, we will grow to many settlements, to flourishing communities and thousands of families."

Shira Bar-Gad, a mother of two who moved to Noa from Jerusalem, shared her excitement, saying, "We waited a long time for this. It's exciting that it's finally happening, that this hill where there was nothing is becoming a settlement. Now we see the road being paved and the caravans arriving, it's truly exciting." She recounted her son's observation upon visiting his aunt in her settlement, asking if this place also used to be empty.