Givat Ze’ev, an Israeli settlement in the West Bank, has officially received city status after IDF Central Command Chief Avi Bluth signed the declaration on Sunday.
Located about five kilometres northwest of Jerusalem, Givat Ze’ev was established in 1977 within the boundaries of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council but operated as an independent municipality. The settlement is home to nearly 35,000 residents and has recorded one of the fastest population growth rates in Israel.
Following the signing of the decree, Givat Ze’ev’s classification was upgraded from a local council to an officially recognised municipality under the Israeli government.
The change is intended to support the settlement’s future expansion, development plans and the provision of residential and municipal services.
Givat Ze’ev Mayor Yossi Asaraff described the development as a significant milestone for the settlement.
In a statement, he said, “Thank God, a historic moment for Givat Ze’ev. This is a tremendous boost to the settlements in the Jerusalem envelope. Becoming a city is first and foremost a massive growth engine and truly good news for our residents.”
“Alongside the new status and development momentum, we are stepping up our capabilities, while preserving our warm, rural, and community atmosphere. This is the beating heart of Givat Ze’ev, and it will remain so,” Asaraff added.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also welcomed the decision, saying he would continue efforts to “fortify and strengthen the settlements.” He contrasted the move with a government led by former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot, which he claimed would seek to evacuate them.
“We will continue to establish more and more farms and settlements that will serve as the protective wall of Ra’anana, Tel Aviv, Givatayim, Jerusalem, and the entire State of Israel,” he stated.
