Two days after Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, unveiled the ambitious plan of the Samaria Regional Council to have a million residents in Samaria by 2050 and to build new cities, a hospital, and an airport, the plan is receiving widespread support from government ministers, including among others, ministers Nir Barkat, Miki Zohar, Haim Katz, and Ofir Sofer. Yossi Dagan stated, "I call upon the government to adopt the plan as an official government plan."
The 'One Million in Samaria' plan, which was published this week for the first time after a year and a half of secretive work by the Samaria Regional Council, has garnered significant attention and has also been addressed within the government. Following the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan, who wrote a letter to the Prime Minister requesting the adoption of the plan as a government initiative, ministers have issued messages of support endorsing this call.
Nir Barkat: "It is the state's duty to develop Samaria"
Minister of Economy, Nir Barkat, expressed support for the plan: "Samaria has been and will always be an integral part of the State of Israel, and it is the right of Jews to live anywhere in the world they desire, especially within the borders of the Land of Israel. Therefore, it is the duty of the state to invest, build, and develop Samaria for the sake of settling the land for future generations, and I intend to closely accompany these efforts."
He further added: "In Judea and Samaria, there are particularly successful employment zones such as Barkan and Ariel, which generate tens of thousands of job opportunities for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. Additionally, there are tourist sites like 'Shiloh' and the 'Jacob's Dream' site in Beit El, which hold stories from the Bible and have the potential to attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world each year. I support the head of the council, Yossi Dagan, in this important initiative that ensures the future of Samaria and its growth. We will continue to work together to bring economic success to the region."
Miki Zohar: "Equal treatment for all parts of the country"
Minister of Culture and Sports, Miki Zohar, joined in the support for the plan and wrote: "I congratulate Yossi Dagan on this important and appropriate initiative. It is time for everyone to treat all parts of Israel equally. In recent times, it is noticeable that many citizens of Israel are beginning to understand that the battle against terrorism also extends fearlessly and without hesitation to settling the land."
Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz, addressed the plan and wrote: "I congratulate the important plan that was published this morning, which brings great news not only to the residents of Samaria, but to the entire State of Israel. Samaria has always been and will continue to be an inseparable part of the State of Israel, and I believe that therein lies the key to true and effective solutions for national and societal challenges. I support the efforts of the head of the council, Yossi Dagan, who worked to bring forth a visionary plan that aims to bring a million residents to Samaria by 2050, strengthening Zionism and our connection to Israel."
Minister of Aliyah and Absorption, Ofir Sofer, also responded to the plan and wrote: "I congratulate the important 'One Million' plan presented by the head of the Samaria Regional Council, Yossi Dagan. This reflects a grand vision for the continued settlement of this wonderful and significant region that will strengthen the entire country. We are working together with the Samaria Regional Council to advance comprehensive projects for the benefit of absorption and the expansion of settlements, and these are significant steps as part of the greater vision."
Head of Samaria Council: "Call on the government to adopt the plan"
Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council, expressed gratitude to the supporting ministers and stated: "I call upon the government of Israel to adopt this plan as the working plan of the current government for the sake of the future of settlement in Judea and Samaria and throughout the country. Collaborating with the government ministers will enable us to put the plan into action and bring a million residents to Samaria. I have no doubt that the 'One Million in Samaria' plan brings with it great promise and a genuine solution to many social and national challenges that the State of Israel is grappling with."