Michal Shvut Recalls First Wedding in Samaria Amid Settlement Struggles

Michal Shvut from Kedumim shared her memories of the first wedding held in Samaria, symbolically taking place in Sebastia, as part of the Heritage Ministry and Israel Heritage Sites Council's project documenting the pioneers of Israeli settlements. The wedding, attended by about 2,500 guests, most of whom the bride and groom did not know, marked a significant moment in the settlement movement. Shvut and her husband Avraami decided to hold their wedding at the site of multiple settlement attempts, emphasizing their commitment to establishing a home in Samaria despite repeated evacuations by the government.

Shvut recounted how the wedding preparations were done without professional catering, relying on family and community support, and how the event was dubbed "Operation Wedding" with a detailed plan for supplies. She described the journey to the wedding, including a detour through Tulkarm that drew curious looks, and the widespread media coverage the event received worldwide. The wedding dress was specially made, and notable figures like the late Elikim Hazani expressed admiration for their determination.

The interview is part of a larger initiative led by Mordy Krashner and Noam Damski to preserve the stories of settlement founders across regions including the Jordan Valley, Judea, Samaria, Benjamin, the Golan Heights, and the Galilee. Shvut's story highlights the resilience and faith of early settlers, culminating in the establishment of a settlement in Samaria just four months after the wedding.