First Families Return to Northern West Bank Settlement Evicted 21 Years Ago

A historic milestone was reached on Thursday in northern West Bank as the first families of the pioneering group resettled in the Kadim settlement, which was uprooted 21 years ago during Israel's disengagement plan. Approximately 30 families, mostly from Tel Aviv and central Israel and including former IDF reservists and graduates of Zionist yeshivas, moved into the renewed community. The return was led by Finance Minister and Defense Ministry official Bezalel Smotrich and Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan, who have spearheaded efforts to reestablish and formalize settlements in the area.

The resettlement included a moving moment when Ogen Drori, an IDF disabled veteran and son of one of Kadim's founding families who survived 11 shooting attacks and was expelled during the disengagement, arrived carrying the original settlement flag he preserved since the day of eviction. An official inauguration ceremony is planned for Thursday with participation from government ministers, Knesset members, and public figures including Yossi Dagan and Ze'ev Hever, secretary general of the "Emunah" movement.

This initiative is part of the "Connection Plan," following government and cabinet decisions to establish 19 new settlements in northern Shomron, replacing the four settlements, Kadim, Homesh, Sa-Nur, and Ganim, that were evacuated in 2000. Smotrich hailed the move as completing the rectification of the eviction injustice and emphasized these settlements serve as a vital security buffer for Israel. Dagan expressed emotional pride, stating the spirit of the Jewish people is stronger than any withdrawal and that the return to Kadim completes the restoration of all four northern Shomron settlements removed in the disengagement.