After 28 years of waiting: Two settlements in Judea and Samaria officially recognized
The Ministry of Interior has granted an official settlement code to Karmi Oz (formerly Givat Harel) and Salhav, where a city is planned on an area of about 4,500 dunams. This move completes the legalization process and allows the communities to receive direct state services.
After 28 years during which Givat Harel existed without the full status of an independent community, its legalization process has been completed. The Ministry of Interior granted a settlement code today (Wednesday) to Karmi Oz, the official name of Givat Harel, and to the community of Salhav in Samaria. Receiving the code is considered the state's final stamp in the legalization process and allows both places to operate as recognized communities vis-à-vis all government ministries.
This is a significant stage in the broad move promoted by Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich to legalize the young settlement movement and establish new communities in Judea and Samaria. According to Smotrich, 39 settlement codes have been granted within about six months as part of the move.
After almost three decades: Givat Harel received official status
Karmi Oz, known for years as Givat Harel, is located in the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council and was established 28 years ago. For many long years, it was counted among the young settlement points, and now the receipt of the settlement code completes the legalization process and grants it official status as an independent community.
The new status also has practical significance. After receiving the settlement code, the communities can receive services directly from government ministries, including a security officer position, postal services, and direct water connection through the Mekorot company. The meaning is a transition from a partial status, which involved dependence on nearby communities and systems, to independent conduct vis-à-vis the state.
The community of Salhav in the Samaria Regional Council also completed the legalization process. Salhav was declared a new community by a decision of the Security Cabinet in December 2025, and now, after determining the jurisdiction area and receiving the settlement code, the process of its recognition is complete.
According to the plans, a large city is expected to be built on the site on an area of about 4,500 dunams. Thus, Salhav turns from a settlement point that is in the process of recognition into an official community, from which it will be possible to promote development and construction plans on a large scale in the future.
The completion of the process was preceded by staff work by the Civil Administration and the Settlement Administration at the Ministry of Defense. The GOC Central Command, Avi Bluth, signed the jurisdiction areas of the two communities, and now the Ministry of Interior has completed the process by granting the settlement codes.
Smotrich: "39 settlement codes within about half a year"
Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Religious Zionism party Bezalel Smotrich said:
"Within about half a year, with God's help, we managed to bring 39 settlement codes as part of establishing new communities and legalizing the young settlement movement. This is a huge achievement and the fruit of the labor of many partners who are loyal to the path."
According to him, "The settlement in Judea and Samaria continues to grow and flourish with full force. We are building, planting, and strengthening our hold on the heritage of our fathers."
