Israeli Families Reestablish Settlements in Northern Samaria 21 Years After Evacuation

Twenty-one years after the evacuation of settlements in northern Samaria, Israeli families from the 'Gan' core group have returned to reestablish the settlement of Kadim. This move follows a government cabinet decision led by Minister Bezalel Smotrich to legalize and resettle dozens of communities in the area. On Thursday morning, dozens of caravans were set up to accommodate the families, alongside a branch of the Bnei David institutions established there. Along with Kadim, the settlements of Homesh and Sha-Nur have also been resettled, with plans to fully reverse the disengagement from northern Samaria.

Minister Smotrich emphasized the historical significance of this return, calling it a final erasure of the "terrible sin" of the 2000s evacuation of Gush Katif and northern Samaria. He thanked religious leaders and community members involved in the resettlement effort. Smotrich also announced plans to establish 11 new settlements in northern Samaria this summer, increasing the total from four to 18, including Homesh, Sha-Nur, Gan, and Kadim.

Addressing the security implications, Smotrich stated that maintaining a presence in Samaria strengthens Israel's security belt, protecting cities such as Afula, Beersheba, and Netanya. He asserted that this move undermines the concept of a Palestinian state and affirms Israel's permanent sovereignty over the land. Smotrich warned against any future government, specifically naming the former Eisenkot-Lieberman-Golan administration, which he claimed would evacuate the new settlements and risk Israeli security by returning to the Oslo framework. He called on the national camp and religious Zionism to continue leading Israel with strong ideological and practical commitment to security in Judea and Samaria.