The government and the Samaria Regional Council signed a framework agreement Tuesday for the development of 12,000 housing units, along with commercial, industrial, and hotel space, at a total investment of NIS 8.5 billion. The council said it is preparing for the establishment of 18 new settlements in northern Samaria, aiming to reach one million residents.
The roof agreement for the Samaria Regional Council, signed Tuesday morning, sets a state investment of NIS 8.5 billion for 12,000 housing units and commercial development. The deal was signed in the presence of the Prime Minister, as the council announces preparations for 18 new settlements in northern Samaria. The agreement follows a Monday evening signing ceremony first reported by The Zioneer, with the final investment figure 500 million shekels higher than initially reported.
The signing was first reported by The Zioneer at 18:45 Jerusalem on Monday, with the initial figure set at NIS 8 billion. Prime Minister Netanyahu said at that ceremony that 'Samaria is the roof of the state' and that Israel is not only protecting the area but building it, as reported by Channel 14. By Tuesday morning, the final agreement had grown to NIS 8.5 billion, reflecting an additional half-billion shekels. The council head has been advancing a broader expansion plan, including a Washington conference in June that garnered bipartisan U.S. congressional support, as The Zioneer reported on June 9.
As The Zioneer reported on July 10, the government approved a NIS 1 billion road plan for Judea and Samaria, including access and security infrastructure for dozens of communities. Earlier, on June 11, the cabinet was reported to be voting on a plan for 61 new settlements in the region. On June 18, Gush Etzion council head Yaron Rosenthal said that 14 new communities had been established in Judea and Samaria over the past three years, matching the total built in the previous 55 years, according to Arutz 7.
It remains to be seen whether the full 18 new settlements in northern Samaria will be established under this specific agreement, or if additional cabinet or Knesset approvals are required for each new community. The council's stated goal of reaching one million residents in the region will also depend on the pace of infrastructure development and political continuity.
3 developments
- DevelopingOver 3,000 families apply to join 18 new settlement nuclei in northern Samaria
- StrongGovernment to approve NIS 1 billion road plan on Sunday, including four evacuated settlements in northern Samaria
- StrongSamaria council head presents plan for 18 new settlements in northern Samaria at Washington conference, wins congressional support
- StrongYeshiva building approved in Hebron; the Planning Council authorizes 576 new housing units across Judea and Samaria
Source and signal
- Internal intake