Cabinet Approves Natof, First Secular Binyamin Community Since 1980s

The Binyamin Regional Council announced Wednesday it is advancing Natof, a new secular community in western Binyamin near Nili and Na'ale, following the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet's decision approving new Judea and Samaria communities. The move marks the first time since the 1980s a new Binyamin community has been founded for a secular founding group. Regional Council head Israel Ganz called Binyamin a complete Israeli mosaic of religious, secular and haredi families and pledged to build the next generation of settlement. Settlements Minister Orit Strock said the initiative reclaims parts of the Land of Israel and creates a protective wall of communities. The Ministry of Settlements, the World Zionist Organization Settlement Division, the Binyamin Development Company and Amana are partnering to assemble founding families.