Viral Video: Comedians Rage Over Samaria Building Boom

The Samaria Regional Council's New Year video went viral this week, racking up tens of thousands of views within three days. The clip features Israeli comedians Yoni Sharon and Noam Jacobson in character, trying to wrap their heads around what's been happening in Samaria over the past year.

As the pair discovers more and more construction, new communities, outposts, roads and housing, they progressively lose their composure. At one point they turn directly to Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan and demand: "Yossi, what's going on here? You came to settle here too?"

One character erupts at Dagan: "I'm also nervous about what's happening here in Samaria. 'They're building freely,' building freely. Everyone takes a plot, has an outpost, and they're also building tall buildings, new roads, everything's spread out. Yossi, what's going on, building so much --- build less?"

Dagan doesn't flinch at the demand and fires back: "Less? We're in a massive surge, 40 outposts, 19 new communities going up in northern Samaria alone, many more communities on the way, thousands of housing units and tons and tons of expansions."

Comedians Yoni Sharon and Noam Jacobson in character (Photo: Samaria Regional Council)

The video then transitions into a recap of Samaria's activity. The comedians run through the establishment of thousands of housing units, new roads and infrastructure, educational institutions, and the investment of tens of millions of shekels in the education system as part of the new five-year plan.

The return to Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim and Kadim after 21 years also makes the list, alongside cultural programming and performances by leading Israeli artists in Samaria. Each new detail only heightens the frustration of the characters, who struggle to keep pace with the developments.

By the end of the video, Dagan has already moved on to the next goal: sovereignty.

"This past year was a year of tremendous momentum in Samaria," Dagan said. "We decided to tell the story this time with a bit of humor, through these characters who are trying to understand what's happening here and can't keep up with the pace. We've accomplished a lot, but we're only at the beginning of the road. We have much more to build, create and develop in the coming year, and sovereignty to bring. Happy New Year from Samaria!"