Thousands March in West Bank for 'March of the Shomron' Event

A large-scale "March of the Shomron" event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30th, coinciding with the intermediate days of the Sukkot holiday. This year's march holds historical significance as it will pass between the northern West Bank settlements of Ganim and Kadim, which were re-established this year by pioneering families after being evacuated as part of the 2005 disengagement plan. The march follows a successful start to Sukkot holiday events in the region, which have already attracted tens of thousands of visitors to heritage and nature sites.

The event will commence at 9:00 AM with a festive prayer service at the new settlement of Noa, near the march route. Participants can access the area via the Gilboa crossing. The main march will begin at 11:00 AM, proceeding from Ganim to Kadim. The route is designed to allow families and visitors to experience the renewed settlement in northern Samaria, in the same areas where Jewish communities thrived before their expulsion.

Upon arrival at Kadim around 1:00 PM, a celebratory performance by singer Beni Landau, featuring Shir David Gadsi, will take place. The entire event and route will be fully secured by the IDF, with designated parking and shuttle services available for attendees.

Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, urged the public to join the "demonstration of strength and presence on the ground." He stated, "There is something particularly moving and powerful about marching on Sukkot from Ganim to Kadim, just a month after these settlements were re-established. These are places that were destroyed in the expulsion, and today we are returning to them with families, with children, and with Israeli flags. The people of Israel are returning to live in northern Samaria, this is the absolute victory! The dear people of Israel are voting with their feet, coming with the Israeli flag, supporting the pioneers, and experiencing this historic moment up close."

The March of the Shomron is the highlight of extensive Sukkot holiday events in the region. Other activities include a "Race to the Million" game across heritage sites, special tours, an extreme park, nature hikes, jeep tours, visits to agricultural farms, wine tastings, and excursions to springs. A large event is also planned for Thursday, October 1st, at Mount Ebal, featuring a vehicle tour to Joshua's Altar and a viewpoint at Joseph's Lookout.