Israel Approves Plan to Establish an Industrial Zone in Northern West Bank

Translation by SadaNews - The Settlement Division of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, managed by the far-right minister Bezalel Smotrich, has approved a master plan for establishing an industrial and commercial zone in northern West Bank.

According to Channel 7, as translated by SadaNews, the approval process for the plan was officially completed after ten years of planning, and it will be named "Bustani Hivts.".

According to the channel, this step is considered a strategic move to develop the economy of the settlements and will serve as a growth center for them, especially in northern West Bank.

The industrial commercial area will be located along Highway 557, near the settlements of Efrat Hivts, Einav, and Sha'ar Efraim, and there will be multiple plots designated for industry, commerce, and transportation.

The total area of the plan is 789.65 dunams, of which about 445 dunams is allocated for immediate marketing. Among the plans are 93 plots for industry and crafts spanning about 403 dunams, which will include factories, craft centers, offices, technological facilities, warehouses, and shops for the factories.

Moreover, two commercial plots will be created, and an additional plot of about 31 dunams will combine commerce and transportation along with a gas station, a small store, and car services. A wide transportation infrastructure will be built and easily accessible, including an internal road network and public buildings linked to the industrial zone.

The so-called Regional Council of "Samaria" stated that this step would enhance economic and civil stability in the area, providing personal security and advanced services to the residents.

After the plan's approval, Smotrich said that bringing in a million settlers requires a lot of planning and creating job opportunities, pointing out that the new project will be highly successful. He called on Israelis to live in and develop the West Bank settlements.