Or Piron Zomer Unanimously Elected Chair of Judea and Samaria Regional Council Cluster

Or Piron Zomer, 38, the head of the Oranit local council, was unanimously elected on Sunday to chair the Judea and Samaria Regional Council Cluster, Israel's largest municipal cluster. She replaces Avi Roa, who concluded his term as chair alongside his role as head of the Sha'ar Shomron council.

The cluster serves as a strategic regional executive body linking local authorities with government ministries, advancing government decisions and implementation plans for regional development. It supports 25 member councils by pooling resources, removing bureaucratic obstacles, and fostering regional cooperation involving hundreds of millions of shekels.

Key focus areas include tourism development branding the region as the "Land of the Bible," promoting economic growth engines, employment, innovation, environmental and waste solutions, and strengthening social resilience among residents.

Piron Zomer brings extensive professional experience, including close work with former minister Uri Orbach, founding a private bereavement services company, and recognition as one of Globes newspaper's promising young leaders. During her two and a half years as Oranit council head, she led significant community renewal and development initiatives. Her election marks her as the only woman currently chairing a regional council cluster in Israel and the first in Judea and Samaria.

Following her election, Piron Zomer expressed pride in assuming leadership on the day the government approved a tourism development plan for Judea and Samaria, highlighting the cluster's role in connecting local authorities with government ministries to drive impactful initiatives. She thanked outgoing chair Avi Roa for his commitment and leadership and pledged to continue strengthening cooperation and advancing growth engines with council heads, cluster CEO Keren Gefen, and the cluster team.

Gefen congratulated Piron Zomer, emphasizing her municipal experience and regional vision to sustain the development momentum in Judea and Samaria. She also thanked Roa for his significant contributions to establishing the cluster as a leading regional body and reaffirmed ongoing collaboration with the 25 councils, government ministries, and partners to promote growth and key projects benefiting the entire Judea and Samaria region.