The Gush Etzion Regional Council, which administers the bloc of Judea Jewish communities south of Jerusalem, on Thursday announced the establishment of a new village near the Arab city of Bethlehem.

The first temporary homes of the strategic Shdema outpost, which will connect eastern Gush Etzion to Jerusalem, were placed at the site on Wednesday night in the presence of council head Yaron Rosenthal.

“Last night, we established a new town in Gush Etzion: Shdema Beit Lechem—near Bethlehem,” Rosenthal said. “For 2,000 years, Jews prayed to return to Bethlehem, and now we have merited it.

“We have merited to return to the city of Rachel our Matriarch, of King David—a community that will strengthen the connection between eastern Gush Etzion and Jerusalem,” continued the council head.

“Today

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