First families return to the fourth settlement evacuated in Samaria
An historic milestone was marked on Thursday in northern Samaria as the first families moved into the community of Kadim, which was uprooted 21 years ago. About 30 families have settled in the renewed community, accompanied by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Samaria Regional Council Head Yossi Dagan.
An historic milestone was marked on Thursday in northern Samaria as the first families of the pioneering settlement core entered the community of Kadim, which was uprooted 21 years ago as part of the Disengagement Plan. About 30 families moved to live permanently in the renewed community, accompanied by Minister of Finance and Minister in the Ministry of Defense Bezalel Smotrich and Head of the Samaria Regional Council Yossi Dagan, who led the move to return and regulate the settlements in the area.
The community of Kadim is being re-established by a unique core consisting mostly of families from Tel Aviv and the center of the country, initiated by graduates of Zionist yeshivas and reservists discharged from the "Iron Swords" war. Upon the arrival of the families, an especially moving moment was recorded when Ogen Drori, a member of a founding family of Kadim and an IDF disabled veteran who previously survived 11 shooting attacks, arrived carrying the original community flag that he had kept since the day of the expulsion.
The settling of the land and entry into the buildings are taking place ahead of the official ceremony expected to be held on Thursday, with the participation of ministers, Knesset members, and public figures, including Council Head Yossi Dagan and Secretary-General of the "Amana" movement Zeev Hever (Zambish). The move was launched as part of the "Reconnection Plan" following a government decision, and includes the establishment of 19 new settlements in northern Samaria to replace the four settlements that were uprooted.
"Today the correction of the crime of expulsion was completed, and these settlements constitute a real security belt for the State of Israel," said Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich.
Head of the Samaria Regional Council Yossi Dagan added with emotion that the spirit of the people of Israel is stronger than any withdrawal, and that the return to Kadim completes the return to all four settlements that were uprooted in northern Samaria: Homesh, Sa-Nur, Ganim, and Kadim.
