First Caravans Arrive at Reestablished Kedumim Settlement in Northern Samaria After 21 Years

A historic moment unfolded Wednesday morning in northern Samaria as the first caravans arrived at the reestablished Kedumim settlement, 21 years after its evacuation during a government-led expulsion. Cranes placed the initial residential structures following extensive development work including earthworks, road paving, and installation of electricity, water, and sewage infrastructure, as well as preparation of public building sites.

Kedumim is being rebuilt by a unique core of families primarily from Tel Aviv and central Israel, initiated by graduates of Zionist yeshivas and reservists recently released from the "Sword of Iron" military operation. The caravan placement marks the final stage before the first families move in.

This reconstruction is part of the "Connection Plan" led by the Samaria Regional Council and the Amana settlement movement. The plan aims to establish 19 new settlements in northern Samaria, replacing four that were uprooted: Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kedumim. This initiative follows a government decision spearheaded by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as part of the "Million in Samaria" program.

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan called the event a rectification of the expulsion's injustice, envisioning Kedumim as a large community with thousands of residents and educational institutions. He emphasized that the return to Kedumim completes the restoration of all four uprooted settlements and signals a significant victory after more than two decades of struggle by expelled residents, activists, and government supporters. Dagan stated, "Northern Samaria is becoming Israel's urban center, and we are here to make things right."