Israel officially reopened the West Bank settlement of Ganim on Thursday, over 20 years after its initial evacuation, marking a significant step in the current government's policy of settlement expansion.
The reopening ceremony was attended by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and local settlement authority head Yossi Dagan, alongside approximately one hundred participants. Ganim is one of four settlements evacuated in 2005 under former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan, largely due to their isolated locations within the occupied West Bank. Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration, settlement construction and expansion have accelerated, leading to the official re-establishment of three of these four evacuated communities.
New residents, such as Reut Baran, 35, expressed optimism about their arrival. "A month ago there was nothing here. A rocky mountain, barely any trees, barely any shade. We're arriving now," Baran stated, indicating the pre-fabricated homes being installed. Matan Berkovitch, 25, who moved in with his family, conveyed satisfaction with the government's settlement policy, noting the ministers' support and guidance.
At the ceremony, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared, "Here, this is the Land of Israel. Here, we are staying forever." Settlement authority head Yossi Dagan echoed this sentiment, proclaiming, "The era of evacuation is over -- from here, we only build." Approximately two dozen pre-fabricated homes have already been erected in Ganim, with ongoing construction indicating further development on the hillside.
The expansion of Ganim has raised concerns among Palestinians in the vicinity. Residents speaking to AFP expressed fears that the settlement's growth would exacerbate their daily challenges and potentially lead to future displacement. Recent army actions, including the demolition of stores and the blockage of roads leading to Palestinian communities with rubble, have been observed on the routes to the settlement.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967. International law considers Israeli settlements in the territory, home to over 500,000 Israelis and approximately three million Palestinians, to be illegal. Reports indicate a significant increase in violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
