Israel to establish new city in biblical Samaria

For the first time in 20 years and the second time in modern history, Israel will establish a city in Samaria.

By: Aryeh Savir, World Israel News

A special committee appointed by the Ministry of Interior announced Wednesday that it has recommended the establishment of a new Israeli city in western Samaria.

It will be the first time in 20 years that the Israeli government has approved plans to create a new city in that region.

The city will be comprised of four exiting small communities that will expand into the space between them to become one municipality. The committee said this move will save the state large sums of money as well as improving services provided in the area.

The Ministry of Finance is expected to invest some NIS 100 million to enable the new city to grow at a fast pace.

The establishment of the new city will contribute to the planning and development of the area, the committee noted.

It will be situated near to the so-called 1967 Green Line, a short drive away from the cross-state Route 6.

Until now, the only city established by the modern State of Israel in Samaria is Ariel, which was recognized 20 years ago.

There is nothing that connects one more to love of the homeland than walking through the verses of the Bible, the history of the Second Temple period and the establishment of the State of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated recently, regarding approval of a new trans-Israel hiking trail that will run through the Golan Heights, Judea and Samaria.