The ‘Shiloh bloc’

Your editorial “Disputed territories” (October 9) notes that “Shiloh’s future, like many settlements, is shrouded in uncertainty” in that “it is deep inside Samaria and not immediately part of one of the known settlement blocs.” I believe, however, that if there is any uncertainty, it lies in the definition of “bloc.”

The Shiloh bloc of communities includes Shiloh, Eli, Ma’aleh Levona, Givat Harel, Givat Haroeh, Achiya, Adei-Ad, Esh Kodesh, Keida and Yishuv Hada’at. There are a few hilltop satellite outposts as well.

A conservative population estimate is close to 10,000 Jews. We have nurseries, kindergartens, a primary school with almost 1,000 pupils, a boys’ high school, two yeshivot hesder (programs that combine army service with religious study), over 1,000 dunam of vineyards and olive groves that gain international recognition and awards, as well as fruit orchards, a chicken run with over 24,000 egg-laying hens, three wineries, an olive oil plant that produces over 10% of Israel’s domestic requirements, swimming pools and other sports amenities. And there is more.

Shiloh is its own known bloc of Jewish villages and towns. YISRAEL MEDAD

Shiloh