Etz Efraim is the name of a modern Yishuv in the Shomron, which was established in 1985. The name is taken from the opening posuk of the parasha’s haftarah, and was chosen both because the yishuv was established Motzaei Shabbat Vayigash and because of the fact that it is in the portion of Shevet Efraim. The population of the Yishuv is mixed, including religious and secular Jews, and perhaps this fits the prophecy of Yechezkel of unity (posuk 19).0
In ancient times, the area was agricultural land in Shevet Efraim, and indeed in proximity to the Yishuv, there are remains of ancient agricultural structures, including shomerot – watch towers used for storing and protecting the agricultural produce.0
