Israel Formalizes Four Settlements, Including New City 'Shira'

Israel's Ministry of Interior has officially recognized four settlements in the West Bank, granting them symbols of locality and completing their formalization as recognized communities within the state. The newly recognized settlements include the new city of 'Shira', Har Bezak, Pnei Kedem, and Keren Yam.

The city of Shira, designated for establishment east of Rosh HaAyin and adjacent to Highway 5, is planned to encompass approximately 9,500 dunams and tens of thousands of housing units. Har Bezak, also in the Samaria region, is situated at a strategic high point and is part of a chain of new settlements. Pnei Kedem, located in the Gush Etzion bloc, was founded 26 years ago and its formalization is expected to enable significant development and independent construction. Keren Yam, another new settlement in Gush Etzion, is strategically positioned above Highway 60, strengthening the settlement continuum between Gush Etzion and Kiryat Arba.

This move is described as a significant achievement and the culmination of a long process, adding to the 39 settlement symbols granted during the tenure of Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Smotrich, who leads a "settlement revolution," stated that the granting of these symbols is a critical milestone that will facilitate infrastructure development, extensive construction, and a significant strengthening of Israel's hold on the land. The formalization process transforms these locations from unrecognized outposts into fully recognized Israeli localities.