The Shomron Regional Council has begun a new strategic campaign to leverage the region away from its political connotations and into the public mainstream.
The Shomron (Samaria) region is home to the Palestinian Authority-controlled cities of Shechem and Jenin, as well as numerous Jewish communities such as Elon Moreh, Itamar and Kedumim and the city of Ariel. Leaders and residents of the Shomron are well aware that the common perception of the area relates to politics, security and controversy in general. The goal is therefore to turn their home region into just another Israeli region, period.
"We want to star not only on the main news pages," initiators of the campaign say, "but also in the supplements dealing with economics, tourism, fashion, leisure, and arts."
Each community in the Shomron has been asked to compile a list of elements it features, and to consider how they can be used to make their town more "user friendly" to the average Israeli.
The campaign is already showing results, organizers report, in that boutique wineries, hikes with the Society for the Preservation of Nature, and tourist spots in the Shomron have all been topics of various media reports of late.
Just a week ago, a special "Gate to the North" event was held between the Children's Legends Forest and the Reichan reserve in northern Shomron. Billed as a "get to know the Shomron" event, it featured diverse foods, holistic treatments, visits in artisans' homes, bicycle trips in the forest, herbal teas, a folklore band, and more. Shomron Council officials noted with satisfaction the presence of Tourism Ministry officials and tour guides in the audience.
Photos of the Shomron's 30 Jewish towns can be seen here.
A seminar held recently at the College of Judea and Samaria in Ariel discussed future trends and strategies for turning the area into one of Israeli consensus, in order to stabilize Israel's hold on the area and strengthen Jewish settlement there.
One finding presented at the conference showed that the College itself serves as a successful "embassy" for the area. Statistics show that 85% of the College's students do not live in Judea and Samaria, and that 150 students have married and remained to live in the Shomron.