Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the community of Sa-Nur today (Friday), accompanied by Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, head of the Civil Administration Brig. Gen. Hisham Ibrahim, and the Defense Minister’s Military Secretary Brig. Gen. Guy Markizano. The visit came in the wake of the Cabinet’s decision to establish 22 new communities in Judea and Samaria, including Homesh and Sa-Nur.
“I came here today to reconnect with both my national and personal roots,” Katz said. “I served in Sa-Nur as a paratrooper recruit, and I fought against the uprooting of the community during the Disengagement Plan. At the time, I promised we would return—and today, we are fulfilling that promise with the decision to reestablish this community, along with 21 other new communities in Judea and Samaria.”
“This is a historic moment for settlement in Judea and Samaria,” he continued, “a move that will strengthen the region as Israel’s defensive shield and enhance security in this area.”
Katz used the opportunity to address French President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to promote recognition of a Palestinian state: “This is a decisive response to the terror organizations attempting to harm us and weaken our hold on this land. And it’s a clear message to Macron and his colleagues: they may recognize a Palestinian state on paper—but we are building the Jewish-Israeli state here, on the ground. That paper will be tossed into the trash bin of history, and the State of Israel will flourish and thrive.”
“Do not threaten us with sanctions,” he added. “You will not bring us to our knees. The State of Israel will never bow its head to threats. We are a people with a long and glorious history. We will stand tall and continue leading Israel on a strong and secure path—until victory.”
In closing, Katz thanked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich—his partners in advancing the decision—and the Cabinet ministers who supported and approved it.
