The Interior Ministry granted official status to four Judea and Samaria towns today (Tuesday), marking the final step in regularizing them as recognized communities in Israel. The move completes a years-long process for communities that had been operating without official recognition.
2+The Towns that received recognition:
- Asif (Nofei Nehemia): In the Samaria Regional Council, established 24 years ago as a neighborhood of Rechelim.
- Malachei HaShalom: In the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, established 11 years ago and declared a settlement in February 2023.
- Aviya (Shadma): In the Gush Etzion Regional Council, declared a community in December 2025.
- Yitav: In the Jordan Valley Regional Council, declared a community in December 2025.
The decision came after staff work by the Civil Administration and in the Defense Ministry, and after Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth signed off on the communities’ jurisdictional boundaries.
2+What it means: Full government recognition
This marks a critical milestone in the regularization process. With it, the towns are recognized by all government ministries, allowing them to receive essential services, including a local security coordinator position, Israel Post services, and direct water connection from Mekorot, Israel’s national water company. It’s a significant development for towns, some of which operated for years without this status and had to cope with difficult conditions while establishing themselves.
2+Smotrich: “An answer to those who want to destroy”
Finance Minister and Religious Zionism party chairman Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the move: “This is a huge achievement and the fruit of labor by many partners.
Jewish presence in Judea and Samaria continues to grow and flourish at full strength. Against those who want to destroy the Jeiwsh towns enterprise and establish a ‘Palestinian’ state—we are building, planting, and strengthening our hold on the land of our forefathers.”