New Settlement Emek Dotan Begins Construction in Northern West Bank with Hundreds of Families Planned

The Shomron Regional Council and the Amana movement have installed the first residential caravans in the new settlement of Emek Dotan, located in the heart of the Dotan Valley in northern Samaria (West Bank). This marks a significant step toward establishing a community that will eventually house hundreds of families. The project is part of the "Connectivity Plan," promoted by Shomron Council head Yossi Dagan in cooperation with Amana, aiming to build 19 new settlements in the area.

The initiative follows government decisions led by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Yossi Dagan personally assisted in placing the buildings alongside workers and expressed optimism, stating, "Four settlements were destroyed, we are building 19." During a site visit, Dagan was joined by Deputy Director of the Education Ministry Yigal Tzarfati, who reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to providing educational services in the Shomron region.

Dagan described the vision for Emek Dotan as a large, renewed center for northern Shomron, with thousands of Israeli citizens expected to live there. He thanked various partners, including Amana, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Education Minister Yoav Kish, and government ministers supporting the settlement efforts. He also praised pioneering families who are making the settlement a reality.

Rabbi Chaim Baruch, head of pre-military institutions whose graduates are founding the settlement, emphasized the symbolic and social significance of returning to the area. He said, "We are coming back with strength to restore unity and joy among the Israeli people in the place where division began." The establishment of Emek Dotan aims to reinforce Israeli presence and community cohesion in northern Samaria.