Israel Approves New City 'Shira' and Three Other Settlements in West Bank

Israel's Ministry of Interior has granted settlement symbols to four new communities in the West Bank, including the planned city of Shira, located east of Rosh HaAyin. This move finalizes the regulatory process for these settlements, which are part of a broader settlement expansion initiative championed by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.

The new city of Shira is slated to cover approximately 9,500 dunams (about 2,350 acres) and is planned to include tens of thousands of housing units. It was declared a new settlement by the Israeli Security Cabinet in December 2025. Alongside Shira, Har Bezek in the Samaria region and Pani Kedem and Keren Ye'ar in the Gush Etzion bloc also received their settlement symbols.

The approval process involved the signing of jurisdictional boundaries by Central Command General Avi Blott, following work by the Civil Administration and the Defense Ministry's Settlement Directorate. Har Bezek, also declared a new settlement in December 2025, is intended to be part of a chain of settlements. Pani Kedem, established 26 years ago, will now operate as an independent settlement, facilitating its development. Keren Ye'ar, located above Route 60, aims to strengthen settlement continuity between Gush Etzion and Kiryat Arba.

Receiving settlement symbols allows these communities official recognition from all government ministries, enabling access to essential services and infrastructure, such as postal services and direct water connections. Minister Smotrich highlighted that these four symbols bring the total to 43 granted in under a year, calling it a significant achievement. He emphasized Shira's role in safeguarding Rosh HaAyin and Petah Tikva and providing housing for young families, reiterating his policy to continue expanding settlements in Judea and Samaria.