During the Independence Day ceremony held Thursday evening in the community of Ofra, it was announced that a new settlement point was being established in the Binyamin region—located near the community, which is currently marking 50 years since its founding, and just below the Israeli Air Force base on Mount Baal Hatzor.
“Magen Hatzor Farm”
Ofra’s community secretary, Sami Karasenti, made the announcement from the stage, stating that “Magen Hatzor Farm” is now being established with the backing of the Binyamin Regional Council and on-site logistical support. According to Karasenti, “equipment is already working on the ground,” and the project is gaining momentum.
It was also reported that construction work is underway to open a new access road from Ofra to Mount Baal Hatzor. The aim is to improve connectivity and link the new site to the surrounding area. The location—situated just beneath a strategic Air Force base—also carries civil-security significance, forming part of a broader effort to strengthen the civilian presence in key areas of Binyamin.
A few months ago, during a visit to an agricultural farm in Judea and Samaria, Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich presented the government’s policy to bolster agricultural farms in the region. This includes equalizing support conditions and providing grazing grants, similar to those available to farmers in other parts of the country.
“The government is correcting a historical injustice and strengthening agriculture as part of a broad Zionist vision,” said Smotrich. “Our policy is intended to preserve land reserves, prevent illegal Palestinian land seizures, and reinforce settlement.”
Head of the Binyamin Regional Council, Israel Gantz, added at the time: “Over the past two years, we’ve seen major strides in establishing de facto sovereignty—and the decision to grant farmers in Judea and Samaria equal treatment with other Israeli citizens is historic.”
