Youth Camp Connects Gush Katif Displaced Families to Their Heritage and Future

The "Sayeret Katif" summer camp for girls, organized by the Gush Katif Heritage Center and North Samaria, gathers students from communities established for the evacuees of Gush Katif. The camp aims to connect the younger generation to the legacy of Gush Katif, Zionist values, and settlement efforts. Camp director Chanania Safer explains that the program focuses on linking the past, present, and future by instilling the values that guided Gush Katif residents and preparing the youth to be ambassadors of this heritage.

Micha Hadad, head of the Gush Katif and North Samaria Heritage Center, describes the camp as a multi-day journey back to Gush Katif, where participants hear stories of sacrifice and faith and learn about key figures. He notes the emotional impact as many children discover family histories previously untold by their parents, creating a sense of closure and deeper understanding.

Talia Lisha, a counselor and sister of fallen soldier Staff Sergeant Dvir Lisha, emphasizes the camp’s deep emotional resonance. She shares with the girls the dual loss experienced by their families, both the forced evacuation and the death of loved ones in conflict, helping them grasp the profound meaning of what was lost. Camp participants like Einat and Hadar, daughters of Gush Katif evacuees, express how the camp helps them appreciate their parents’ experiences and the unity that once existed in the community.

Camp coordinator Eyal Weiss, born in Gush Katif, highlights the importance of passing these stories to the next generation, many of whom did not personally experience life in Gush Katif but grow up hearing its legacy. The camp serves as a vital link connecting young people to their roots and the ongoing Zionist mission.