New Settlement 'Shalem' Established in Samaria, First Families Move In

The settlement expansion in the Samaria region continued on Tuesday with the first families moving into their homes in the new settlement of 'Shalem,' located near Alon Moreh. This marks the ninth settlement established as part of the Shomron Regional Council's 'Connection Program.' An official inauguration ceremony is scheduled for later in the day, with the participation of ministers, Knesset members, and public figures.

The establishment of 'Shalem' comes approximately one year after a cabinet decision, spearheaded by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The settlement is part of the 'Connection Program' led by the Shomron Regional Council in cooperation with the Amana movement and the Settlement Division. This program aims to establish 19 new settlements in the Samaria region, aligning with the council's vision of reaching a population of one million in Samaria.

Yossi Dagan, Head of the Shomron Regional Council, welcomed the new residents, drawing a parallel to the disengagement from Gaza settlements 21 years prior. "21 years ago they destroyed and expelled us from Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim. 21 years later, we have returned," Dagan stated. He added that 'Shalem' is the first of 19 new settlements being built, and thousands more residents are expected to follow.

Achinoam Mizrahi, one of the first residents, expressed her excitement: "We are here in Shalem. Very excited and very happy, and God willing, we will grow and become a large settlement. Come visit, come hike, there is something to see here, there are crazy landscapes, there is ancestral heritage." The settlement is situated opposite Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, in an area associated with the biblical city of Shalem mentioned in the Book of Genesis. It joins other settlements including Rechavam, Ebal, Dotan Valley, Noa, and the four revitalized settlements in northern Samaria: Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim.