Settler Recalls Voluntary Evacuation to Prevent 'Civil War'

Devora Recanati, a resident of Itamar, has shared her memories of the establishment of the Rog'eyev settlement point as part of a project documenting the founders of Israeli settlements. The initiative, run by the Ministry of Heritage and the Council for the Preservation of Heritage Sites in Israel, aims to record the stories of early settlers across various regions of Israel, including the Jordan Valley, Judea, Samaria, Benjamin, the Golan Heights, and the Galilee.

Recanati recounted the difficult living conditions faced by the 15 families at Rog'eyev, who resided in unstable caravans with limited water and electricity. She described the challenges of sharing basic amenities, where using one appliance could prevent another from functioning.

Following a decision to evacuate the settlement point, Recanati stated that the settlers convened to discuss their options. A significant portion advocated for a voluntary evacuation to avoid internal conflict, a decision ultimately made by the majority. Recanati and four other families initially remained, hoping for a different outcome due to a connection with Rabbi Druckman and the Deputy Minister of Defense, but this did not materialize.

On the day of the evacuation, February 6, 1980 (16 Shevat 5740), Recanati and her family did not resist but also did not pack. They left their caravan as it was and moved to Alon Moreh, where housing was already available.