Sa-Nur Settlement Reestablished: 16 Families Take Up Residence in Northern West Bank
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Israeli officials and hundreds of settlers celebrated the reestablishment of the Sa-Nur settlement in the northern West Bank.
- The settlement was evacuated in 2005 as part of the Disengagement Plan, and its repopulation is seen by some as a historic correction.
- Plans are underway to build new housing units, while Palestinian media and Hamas condemned the move as a dangerous escalation.
The reestablishment of the Sa-Nur settlement marks a significant moment for the Samaria Regional Council and its supporters, signifying a return to land from which residents were forcibly removed nearly two decades ago. Yossi Dagan, who was evacuated from Sa-Nur in 2005, articulated the sentiment of many when he declared that history was being made and the "terrible crime of expulsion" was being undone. This act is viewed not just as a repopulation effort but as a powerful statement against the perceived injustices of the past and a rejection of the viability of a Palestinian state.
Today we are making history in Samaria and effectively abolishing the terrible crime of expulsion from northern Samaria.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's call to make this day a "national holiday" underscores the deep ideological significance attached to settlement expansion. The move is framed as a "historic correction," directly challenging the international consensus on the illegality of settlements and the two-state solution. The presence of cabinet ministers and members of Knesset at the ceremony signals strong governmental backing for such initiatives, despite international criticism.
We have proven that it is possible to turn back the clock, to right an injustice even if it seems that all is lost.
From our perspective at The Jerusalem Post, this event is more than just the rebuilding of a settlement; it is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Israeli people to maintain and expand their presence in Judea and Samaria. While Palestinian media and Hamas decry this as a "dangerous escalation," we see it as a necessary assertion of our historical and security interests. The plans for new housing units signal a commitment to growth and permanence, directly countering narratives that seek to erase Jewish presence from this land. The international community's reaction, while predictable, often fails to grasp the deep-rooted connection Israelis feel to this region and the political realities on the ground.
the โhistoric correctionโ should become a โnational holiday,โ adding that the move was โkilling the idea of the Palestinian state.โ
This reestablishment also comes with renewed promises from Defense Minister Israel Katz to legalize existing outposts, indicating a broader strategy to solidify Israeli control. The fact that this follows closely on the heels of 10 families repopulating Homesh demonstrates a consistent policy direction. The condemnation from Hamas, calling for "all means of resistance," highlights the volatile nature of the region and the starkly different interpretations of these events, underscoring the ongoing conflict and the deep chasm between Israeli and Palestinian aspirations.
dangerous escalation of Judaization.
Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.