Smotrich advances new Samaria settlement after attack near Derech Avraham Farm

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has instructed officials to expedite the establishment of the planned settlement of Shalem in Samaria. This directive follows a stabbing and suspected arson attack that occurred near the Derech Avraham Farm earlier on Thursday.

Simultaneously, Smotrich ordered the Civil Administration to identify and proceed with the demolition of what he termed illegal Palestinian structures in the vicinity. He stated these measures are intended to bolster "governance and security in the area." The Shalem settlement, already approved by the security cabinet, is slated for an area between Elon Moreh, Beit Furik, and Beit Dajan, close to the farm where the recent attack took place.

The move by Smotrich aims to give immediate practical effect to the cabinet's decision, shortening the planning and approval timeline and initiating the preparation of necessary infrastructure for construction. Derech Avraham Farm currently operates as an initial settlement outpost, and the new directive seeks to advance its formal recognition and development into a planned community. However, no specific date for construction commencement has been announced, nor have details on the number of families expected or the allocated budget been released.

The directive was issued after Itamar Cohen, 51, a founder of the agricultural farm network in Judea and Samaria, was stabbed while attempting to extinguish a fire near Derech Avraham Farm. Security officials reported that two Palestinians stabbed Cohen before being fatally shot by an Israeli civilian at the scene. Investigations are underway to determine if the fire was deliberately set as a lure. The planned Shalem settlement is part of a broader government initiative to establish new communities and legalize existing settlement points in Judea and Samaria.

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governance and security in the area.