Founder Itamar Mendel Recalls Pioneering Efforts Behind Carmel Settlement Establishment

Itamar Mendel, one of the founders of the Carmel settlement, shared his recollections of the settlement's establishment and the pioneering spirit of its first residents. His interview is part of the "Documentation of Veterans and Founders of the Settlement" project, an initiative by Israel's Ministry of Heritage and the Council for the Preservation of Heritage Sites. The project aims to preserve the stories of early settlers across various regions including the Jordan Valley, Judea, Samaria, Benjamin, the Golan Heights, and the Galilee through hundreds of interviews conducted by Mordy Kreshner and Noam Damski.

Mendel explained that the founders initially intended to settle in the area of Judea and Mount Hebron. They consulted prominent leaders of the generation, Rabbi Levinger and Hanan Porat, expressing their readiness to do what was necessary. When asked about their preference, they affirmed a strong connection to their region. They recognized a significant settlement void stretching from Hebron towards Arad and Beersheba and felt compelled to return to their ancestral lands.

The specific location of Carmel was chosen due to its historical significance, with many ancient Jewish settlements from biblical times found in the area. Mendel emphasized the naturalness of returning to these places where Jews lived two thousand years ago. He proudly described how the settlers realized a millennia-old dream not only by settling but also by engaging in agriculture, cultivating almonds, peanuts, potatoes, carrots, onions, and vineyards. Mendel highlighted their achievement in transforming the desert into a green, thriving area, fulfilling their vision.

The full interview is available as part of the "The First Ones" interview project, documenting the foundational chapters of Israeli settlement history.