A number of weeks following the Shomron drive-by shooting attack that claimed the life of Rabbi Raziel Shevach HY”D, the cabinet on Sunday, 19 Shevat, approved Gilad Farm as a legal community. To date, it has been viewed as an illegal outpost.

The cabinet was unanimous in its support of the move, which was present by Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Gilad Farm was established in 2002 by Itai and Bat Tzion Zar in memory of Gilad HY”D, the Shomron security officer gunned down by Arab terrorists. Since the establishment of the community, the cabinet has refused to approve it despite the fact it was established on private Jewish land.

Mrs. Yael Shevach, the rav’s widow said, “It is most unfortunate we had to come to this day but if it is already here, I am happy too”.

Now that the community is legal, it can be connected to the national infrastructure grid, water and electricity.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)