New Settlement 'Shalem' Established in Samaria, Ninth in Under a Year

Hundreds of people gathered on Monday to celebrate the establishment of the new settlement "Shalem" in the Samaria region, near Alon Moreh. The first 12 families have moved into the settlement, which is part of a larger plan by the Shomron Regional Council to establish 19 new communities in northern Samaria. This initiative, dubbed "Million in Samaria," aims to strengthen the region and is being carried out in partnership with the Amanah movement and the Settlement Division.

Yossi Dagan, Head of the Shomron Regional Council, highlighted the rapid pace of settlement construction, noting that Shalem is the ninth new community established in the council's jurisdiction in less than a year. He stated that this effort is a response to the disengagement from northern Samaria 21 years prior and aims to build more homes and communities in the Land of Israel. Dagan emphasized that the "Million in Samaria" vision is becoming a reality.

Rabbi Eliyahu Levin, Rabbi of Samaria, drew parallels to the past, referencing the destruction of settlements 21 years ago and contrasting it with the current building efforts. He expressed a vision of Alon Moreh growing into a small city, with Shalem becoming a developed area.

Rabbi Moshe Asman, Chief Rabbi of Ukraine, attended the ceremony and shared his personal experience of traveling to Israel during the disengagement, carrying press credentials to navigate checkpoints. He expressed his joy at being present at the establishment of Shalem, calling the residents "righteous and heroic people."

The establishment of Shalem is seen as a strategic move to rectify the "historical injustice" of the 2005 disengagement from northern Samaria. The previous settlements established within the last year include Rechavam, Eival, Emek Dotan, Noa, and the four settlements, Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim, that were evacuated during the disengagement and have now returned to the area.