Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last Thursday declared his support for establishing a large new city east of Ariel, the capital of Samaria. The greater goal is for connecting the area to the center of the country.
The statement came as Gallant inaugurated an expansion of a security checkpoint on Route 5, a major traffic artery connecting central Israel with northern Samaria and the Jordan Valley.
The multi-million-shekel project aims to alleviate severe congestion at the security barrier, which poses a security threat, by adding an extra lane to ease the passage of tens of thousands of daily commuters.
Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan hailed the inauguration of the new highway as a “ray of light of victory” amid the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Source:
Gallant declares support for new city in Samaria, by JNS Update Desk, May 10, 2024