Israeli Minister and Shomron Council Head Celebrate Renewed Settlement in Northern Shomron

Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Shikli toured the renewed settlements in northern Shomron alongside Yossi Dagan, head of the Shomron Regional Council. Their visit included the community of Sha-Nur and the new settlement Emek Dotan, highlighting the ongoing expansion of Jewish presence in the area.

At Sha-Nur, Dagan recounted the emotional oath made 21 years ago on the day of the forced evacuation under the Disengagement Plan. Standing on the ancient fortress roof, he described how they witnessed Palestinians celebrating with PLO and Hezbollah flags as Israeli forces removed residents. Dagan recalled Rabbi Dov Lior tearing his shirt and instructing him to recite "Baruch Dayan HaEmet" (Blessed is the True Judge) as a religious response to the destruction of Jewish communities. He then vowed to fight to return and raise the Israeli flag again over the fortress.

Dagan pointed to the Israeli flag now flying over the fortress and told Minister Shikli, "This is the oath. We have merited to fulfill it." Shikli expressed deep emotion at the return and blessed the community with "Matziv Gvul Almah," a traditional blessing for new settlements in the Land of Israel.

The minister also visited the Shomron National Park, where his ministry supports development efforts alongside the Ministry of Heritage, Ministry of Environmental Protection, and other government bodies. Shikli reflected on the trauma of the Disengagement, calling it one of the greatest disasters for the Jewish people, surpassed only by the Oslo Accords. As a former Golani Brigade soldier who served in the area, he found it especially moving to return and bless the renewal of Jewish settlement in northern Shomron.