Following an exclusive C14 report earlier, the political-security cabinet approved Tuesday evening a proposal to establish the 19th new town in Judea and Samaria—”Sa-Nur East,” a temporary name for a town to be built near Sa-Nur in the northern Samaria.
2+As C14 revealed, the new town will be built on state land east of Sa-Nur, near Route 5725 and close to the strategic Route 60. According to the proposed decision, the town will operate under the Samaria Regional Council, receive an independent designation, and the state will allocate the land to the Settlement Division for residential construction and infrastructure development.
With the decision’s approval, “Sa-Nur East” becomes the 104th community authorized under the current government. The proposal was brought by Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Officials close to Smotrich present the move as part of what they call a “revolution,” which also includes establishing dozens of outposts, expanding infrastructure and roads, and developing new neighborhoods in communities across Judea and Samaria.
2+Samaria governor Yossi Dagan said in a statement, “Those who did not want one Sa-Nur will get two. Instead of the expulsion [disengagement] plan, we are implementing the connection plan together. Sa-Nur East will stand firm on the strategic Route 60, where the paratroopers’ base used to be. This is the 19th new town in northern Samaria, and the only correct Zionist and security answer to terrorism – more construction, more settlement, and more Jewish control over the land of the homeland. The people of Israel are victorious.”
2+Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said after the decision was approved: “We are leading a historic revolution in Judea and Samaria that will prevent the establishment of a terror state in the heart of the State of Israel. Approval of the Sa-Nur East community is another significant step in this process, alongside 103 new communities, more than 160 outposts, and massive funding for infrastructure and roads, and pioneer neighborhoods in the new settlements.”
He also addressed criticism from the opposition: “Against the left’s plans to evacuate communities—we are fortifying the enterprise. While Eisenkot and Yair Golan are preparing plans to evacuate settlements, we are establishing facts on the ground. We will continue the revolution—and secure the State of Israel’s security.”
The cabinet’s approval comes against a backdrop of international pressure and calls from various parties to freeze construction in Judea and Samaria. The government presents the decision as a political and security response aimed at strengthening Israel’s hold in the area, while opponents of the move are expected to criticize the settlement expansion.