Pioneering Families Resettle Northern West Bank Community Evacuated 21 Years Ago

After 21 years since the evacuation under Israel's disengagement plan, 30 pioneering families moved this Thursday to permanently resettle the community of Ganim in northern Samaria, which is being reestablished. The resettlement is part of the Shomron Regional Council's "Connection Plan," aiming to establish 19 new communities in the area. On Sunday, the Ganim Yeshiva will also open as an official branch of the "Bnei David" institutions from Ma'aleh.

The initiative is led by the Shomron Regional Council in cooperation with the Amana movement, the Settlement Division, and the Settlement Brigade. Ahead of the move, a large-scale flag campaign was held, with dozens of Israeli flags displayed at the community entrance symbolizing return and sovereignty. This event follows closely the recent establishment of the new community "Emek Dotan."

The national return ceremony included participation from ministers, Knesset members, Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, Amana Secretary General Ze'ev Hever, and leaders of Bnei David, Rabbis Eli Sadan and Yigal Levinstein. Also present were Rabbi Neria Bulak, head of the Ganim Yeshiva, community leader Ilan Kutzki, evacuated families, and relatives of Kati Winterov, a Ganim resident killed in a shooting attack on her way to the community.

Yossi Dagan called the day a historic correction, emphasizing that instead of uprooting, they are now building and expanding the settlement, which will be ten times larger than before. Ilan Kutzki expressed confidence that within a decade, Ganim will flourish with about 1,000 families. New resident Moria Masalti described the day as a moment of true return and revival, restoring community life two decades after the evacuation.