Israel reopens West Bank settlement dismantled in 2005 amid intensified colonization policy

The Israeli entity has officially inaugurated the Ganim settlement in the occupied West Bank, over twenty years after its dismantling. This move signifies the Netanyahu government's intensified settlement policy. "We have returned to Ganim, and we have returned to stay," stated Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz at the inauguration ceremony, attended by about a hundred people. Ganim was one of four settlements evacuated in 2005 under former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan. Three of these have now been rebuilt under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's current government, amid a rapid acceleration in the creation of new settlements and the legalization of outposts. These outposts, often consisting of a few caravans or prefabricated structures built without government approval, aim to establish faits accomplis on the ground. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced he has tasked the army with preparing a plan to transfer all law enforcement responsibilities for settlers in the occupied West Bank to the police. This announcement comes as settlers have been besieging homes in a West Bank village for several days, with residents reporting inability to obtain food supplies. The minister's office stated that if implemented, this measure would represent another step toward the entity's annexation of the Palestinian territory. Several ministers in Netanyahu's government openly advocate for the annexation of all or part of the West Bank. However, Israeli media suggest this measure is unlikely to be adopted before the upcoming general elections on October 27, which are predicted to be closely contested.

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We have returned to Ganim, and we have returned to stay.