New Israeli Settlement Established in Gush Etzion After 25 Years

A new Israeli settlement, Givat Natan, was officially inaugurated in the southern Gush Etzion region on Tuesday, during the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday. The establishment of Givat Natan marks the first new settlement in the area in over 25 years and is part of a government initiative approved this year to establish six new settlements in Gush Etzion. The settlement is located between the existing settlements of Carmei Tzur and Hebron, and its establishment is intended to protect ancient archaeological sites, including caves and ritual baths dating back to the Second Temple period.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent Israeli officials, including Minister of Settlement and National Missions Orit Strock and Minister of Heritage Amihai Eliyahu. Minister Strock stated that the establishment of the settlement corrects the "damage of Oslo," referring to the Oslo Accords, and vowed to establish more settlements in areas previously handed over to the Palestinian Authority. She emphasized that "B" areas and islands are also part of the Land of Israel and that settlements will be built there in the future.

Yaron Rosenthal, head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, expressed his excitement, noting that the establishment of Givat Natan is a personal full circle for him, having begun his advocacy for the area 30 years prior. He highlighted the significant growth of Gush Etzion in recent years, with the number of settlements doubling and the population increasing substantially, with thousands of housing units approved. Rosenthal described Givat Natan as the southernmost settlement in Gush Etzion, closest to Hebron, and part of a larger plan to build a strong network of settlements and farms along the route connecting Gush Etzion to Hebron.

Rosenthal also referenced historical accounts by Yitzhak Ben-Zvi and the Ramban, noting how the area, once described as desolate and devoid of Jewish settlement, is now vibrant with Jewish life. He concluded by welcoming Givat Natan to Gush Etzion, affirming that the region continues to grow southward.