New Settlement 'Rum Gilil' Established in Northern Samaria

A new settlement, 'Rum Gilil,' was established on Thursday in northern Samaria, near Malkishua and Kibbutz Merav, east of Ganim and Kedumim. The establishment ceremony was attended by Minister Amichai Chikli, Head of the Samaria Regional Council Yossi Dagan, and representatives from nearby kibbutzim and settlements. This marks the 11th settlement to be established in Samaria in under a year and the third this week.

According to the Samaria Regional Council, the area overlooks the Jordan Valley and has been a site from which shots were fired at Kibbutz Merav and other nearby Israeli communities in recent years. Representatives from Ein Harod, Tel Tzevi, Merav, and Ma'ale Gilil were present to welcome the first families moving into their homes.

Yossi Dagan stated that plans are in place to expand the settlement across 3,500 dunams, envisioning it as a large city connecting Samaria, the Jordan Valley, the Gilil, and the Galilee. He emphasized the rapid development, noting that just two weeks prior, the area was undeveloped. Dagan highlighted the shift from a location of attacks on Israeli communities to a site of Zionist endeavor, contributing to Israel's security.

Minister Amichai Chikli described the events in northern Samaria as an unprecedented settlement revolution. He praised the young people establishing lives there and expressed hope for continued nationwide settlement efforts. Representatives from neighboring kibbutzim also spoke, with Harel Ben Ari of Kibbutz Ein Harod calling the new residents a continuation of Zionist ideals and Levi Givon of Kibbutz Merav noting the ongoing expansion of settlements and outposts in the region.

Noam Eldar, representing the founding families, shared the challenges faced in establishing the settlement, including delays and military reserve duty. He described the connection between the Gilil and Samaria as a dream that he and other families pursued. The establishment of Rum Gilil is part of the Samaria Regional Council's "Connection Plan," in cooperation with Amuna and the Settlement Division, which aims to establish 19 new settlements in northern Samaria as part of the "Million in Samaria" initiative.