Givat Ze’ev was officially declared a city on Sunday, becoming the fifth city in Yehuda and Shomron after decades as a local council.

The change in status was approved through an order signed by Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth following months of coordination between the Defense Ministry’s Settlement Administration and the Interior Ministry.

Home to more than 35,000 residents, Givat Ze’ev is expected to gain expanded municipal authority and additional resources to support its continued growth and development.

Mayor Yossi Asraf called the decision a “historic moment” for the community, saying city status would strengthen the settlement surrounding Yerushalayim, improve municipal services, and better equip the municipality to manage its rapid growth while preserving its warm, community-oriented character.

Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Ministry Betzalel Smotrich welcomed the move, calling it part of the government’s broader policy to strengthen Jewish communities in Yehuda and Shomron through new communities, land designation and municipal development.

“Declaring Givat Ze’ev a city is part of a broad policy we have led in recent years to strengthen and reinforce the settlement enterprise,” Smotrich said. “While others speak of withdrawing from communities and establishing a Palestinian state, we are strengthening the settlements and building Israel’s defensive barrier.”

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