Israel has officially elevated the Jerusalem suburb of Givat Ze'ev to city status, making it the fifth Jewish city in Judea and Samaria, according to reports. The community of more than 35,000 residents now joins Ariel, Ma'ale Adumim, Modi'in Illit, and Beitar Illit as a city.
Yesterday (Sunday, July 12), Israel officially granted city status to Givat Ze'ev, making it the fifth Jewish city in Judea and Samaria. The community of over 35,000 residents, located northwest of Jerusalem, joins Ariel, Ma'ale Adumim, Modi'in Illit, and Beitar Illit. The announcement came after the Central Command signed the regulatory order, as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich confirmed.
The Zioneer reported on Sunday at 15:19 Jerusalem that Givat Ze'ev had transitioned from a local council to a city, with Mayor Yossi Asraf calling it a historic moment for settlement in the Jerusalem envelope. Earlier reports noted the population had grown from an official count of 25,000 to nearly 35,000 in practice. Smotrich's announcement of the signed order followed the initial declaration.
The elevation of Givat Ze'ev is part of a broader government policy to strengthen Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. As The Zioneer has reported, this includes recent declarations of state land for expansion and the establishment of new communities. The region's Jewish population continues to grow, with Modi'in Illit recently reaching 100,000 residents.
No further details on the official ceremony or specific timeline for the city's new status were released.
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