Rabbi Eli Sadan Recalls Miraculous Founding of Golan Settlement Keshet

Rabbi Eli Sadan, head of the Bnei Akiva pre-military academy and one of the founders of the Keshet settlement in the Golan Heights, shared the challenges and miracles involved in establishing this new settlement. His account is part of the "Documenting the Veterans and Founders of Settlement" project, an initiative by Israel's Ministry of Heritage and the Council for the Preservation of Heritage Sites, which aims to preserve the stories of early settlers across various regions including the Golan, Galilee, Judea, Samaria, Benjamin, and the Jordan Valley.

Rabbi Sadan explained that the settlement was named Keshet, meaning "arch" in Arabic, referencing the nearby town of Quneitra. The group initially set up in a bunker inside Quneitra's military hospital, working by day in the upper Golan. Despite opposition from then Northern Command Chief Rafael Eitan, who refused to allow families in the central Golan area due to security concerns, the group persisted.

After months of struggle and nearly giving up, Rabbi Sadan sought help from Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook, who wrote to Moshe Dayan. Following a meeting with Dayan and a phone call from Defense Minister Shimon Peres, temporary approval was granted for the Keshet group to settle in the Hoshaniya camp. Rabbi Sadan described the rapid mobilization of equipment and personnel to establish the settlement within 48 hours, emphasizing the spiritual dedication behind their efforts and the visible blessing they felt.

The full interview is part of a larger video project documenting the pioneers of Israeli settlement, preserving their experiences for future generations.