Dr. Miriam Billing, head of one of the research and development departments in the university and a senior lecturer there, told Arutz-7, “The convention will be a festival of research studies on the Shomron (Samaria) and environs, and as in other years, there will be many ‘scoops.’”   

Two central sessions will be held, the first of which will be dedicated to the late Prof. Chanan Eshel. 

Among the findings to be presented will be a survey of Israelis’ support for the Judea and Samaria settlement enterprise, conducted by Dr. Udi Lebel of the Brain Base survey organization. Sample findings include these:  

• 75% of the public objects to a large-scale evacuation and destruction of large towns in Judea and Samaria, but would agree to a small-scale evacuation of small communities or illegal outposts in exchange for the end of the conflict and full peace.
• A majority says that the Judea and Samaria settlement enterprise is a true act of Zionism, and that residents of Judea and Samaria should not only be treated like all other citizens, but that they are the “true Zionists” and the country’s “protective wall.”
• 61% do not agree that the settlement enterprise is illegal.
• 58% do not agree that the settlement enterprise is the reason for the conflict with the Arabs of the Palestinian Authority. This number is low, however, in view of the fact that the PLO was founded in 1964, four years before the first Jewish settlement was established in Judea and Samaria.

The day-long convention will feature 12 sessions, discussing the area’s history, social sciences, politics, and the like. Specific topics include the land policy reforms, the status of Judea and Samaria in international law, a comprehensive survey of the situation of the expellees from Gush Katif and northern Samaria, and more.   

Panel chairpersons will include coalition whip MK Ze’ev Elkin (Likud), Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan, MK Yariv Levine, retired Judge Tzvi Tal, and others.   

 The seminar is open to the public.