Israel Launches Major Expansion Plan in Samaria

In a historic move that reaffirms Israel's deep connection to its biblical heartland, the Israeli government has unveiled a bold initiative to dramatically expand Jewish life in Samaria. The new plan, backed by a state budget of 30 million shekels ($8.3 million), sets the stage for the construction of 180,000 housing units across 13 new cities and five industrial zones in the region.

This initiative, titled “Samaria to a Million,” was originally proposed by Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan and has now officially entered its first phase with state support. Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf, who announced the plan alongside Dagan, emphasized its dual purpose strengthening Israel’s presence and ensuring long-term security and prosperity.

“In the face of those seeking our destruction, the clear and unequivocal answer is to strengthen our settlement and solidify our hold on the Land of Israel,” Goldknopf stated during a visit to the site of a recent terror attack that claimed the life of a pregnant Israeli woman, Tzeela Gez. His words echoed the resolve of a nation that continues to build even in the face of adversity.

Dagan reinforced the message, declaring that terrorism will not drive Jews from their land. “We will establish cities, build industrial zones, and make Samaria flourish,” he said. The plan includes rebuilding historic Jewish communities such as Sa-Nur, Ganim, Kadim, and Homesh towns evacuated during the 2005 disengagement and establishing an outpost on Mount Ebal, home to Joshua’s Altar, a site of immense biblical and national significance.

The initiative has garnered strong political backing, including from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Religious Zionism Party lawmaker Zvi Sukkot. Smotrich, who also holds responsibilities in the Defense Ministry for civilian affairs in Judea and Samaria, is advancing a parallel effort to legalize 22 Jewish communities, including nine new towns.

By 2050, the vision is to grow Samaria’s Jewish population from 140,000 to over a million, effectively transforming the region into a thriving economic and residential hub. Plans include a hospital, advanced transportation links to central and northern Israel, and expanded infrastructure to support the incoming population.

This national project comes at a time when nearly 70% of Israelis support extending full sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, reflecting a growing consensus that Jewish communities in these areas are vital to the nation’s security and identity. As of January 2025, more than 529,000 Jews reside in the region an increasing share of Israel’s population with deep roots in this storied land.

From security to housing, and from history to destiny, the development of Samaria underscores a powerful truth: the Jewish people are not just preserving their heritage they are building its future.

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