Annual Katif Heritage Conference Highlights Israeli Society and Settler Legacy Amid Recent Turmoil
The annual Katif Heritage Conference, organized by the Katif Heritage Center in Nitzan, aims to engage Israeli society in constructive dialogue on pressing issues while commemorating the legacy of the Katif bloc and northern Samaria settlements. The conference highlights the pioneering spirit, community life, Torah study, and agriculture that characterized the Katif bloc before the 2005 disengagement, which remains a contentious chapter in Israeli history.
This year’s event, held during the summer, focuses on the societal upheaval following the October 7 attacks on Simchat Torah morning. It is moderated by journalists Shirit Avitan, Moria Kor, and Ofra Laks. Key speakers include Lior Kalfa, chairman of the Katif Heritage Public Council; Shay Reicher, head of the Nahal Sorek Regional Council; and Rabbi Yigal Kaminetsky, Katif’s rabbi. Notably, Religious Zionism leader and Minister of Finance and Defense Bezalel Smotrich, as well as Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Boaz Bismuth, will participate.
In an unusual addition, Government Secretary Yossi Fox, who led the legal opposition to the 2005 disengagement, will join the discussions. Participants will explore topics such as the resurgence of religious observance since the war’s outbreak, featuring journalist and publicist Dr. Avishai Ben Haim and Rabbi David Turgeman. Filmmakers Eli Zinger and Yoav Elitzur, who documented efforts to restore Jewish settlement in northern Samaria through their film "Homesh," will share insights from their work.
Public policy expert Dr. Ruth Kabsa and former Communications Ministry CEO attorney Shlomo Filber will discuss empowering elected officials to govern effectively amid bureaucratic challenges. Settlers Nir Amitai, Dovi Shapira, and Lior Baz will speak on their commitment to revitalizing settlement as part of the Zionist project. Former prisoners of war Bar Kupershtan and Segev Calfon will recount how captivity reshaped their perspectives on Israeli society.
The conference will conclude with presentations by Meir Institute CEO Eyal Pins, David Koten from the Makom initiative, and Rabbi Kobi Bornstein of the Katif Heritage Center, showcasing cross-sector collaborations aimed at benefiting Israel. Katif Center director Micha Hadad emphasized the event’s significance amid a resurgence of nationalist sentiment, stating, "The orange spirit is rising again, yearning for a connection to the land, people, and Torah, with longing for Katif but also strength and a clear path. The eternal people are not afraid of a long journey."
