at attracting tourists from around the world. Israel's Minister of Tourism Yariv Lavin was quoted saying: "I strongly believe in the tourism potential of Samaria. I can tell you from personal experience that I visited Samaria many times, and it might very well be the most beautiful region in Israel". Sister City On September 12, 2016, the Town of Hempstead in New York signed a Declaration of Cooperation with the Shomron Regional Council in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, as part of an effort to counter the BDS movement. Council Chairman Yossi Dagan, Town Supervisor Anthony Santino, Councilmen Bruce Blakeman, Anthony D'Esposito, and Edward Ambrosino signed the document. Towns of Shomron The largest settlement in the Shomron Regional Council today is Sha'arei Tikva, numbering over 5,500 residents. List of settlements Alei Zahav Avnei Hefetz Beit El Barkan Bruchin Einav Elon Moreh Etz Efraim Har Bracha Hermesh Hinanit Itamar Kfar Tapuach Kiryat Netafim Ma'ale Shomron Mevo Dotan Migdalim Nofim Peduel Rehelim Reihan Revava Sal'it Sha'arei Tikva Shaked Shavei Shomron Tel Menashe Tzofim Yakir Yitzhar Razed settlements During the implementation of Israel's unilateral disengagement plan of August/September 2005, the residents of four of the Shomron Regional Council's settlements were evicted, their residential buildings destroyed, and land abandoned to the Palestinians, including territory outlined in the Oslo Accords as Area 'C' in full Israeli control. In northern Shomron: Ganim Homesh Kadim Sa-Nur References External links Shomron Regional Council website Israeli regional councils in the West Bank