Zafrir Ronen z"l, long associated with the establishment of new communities throughout Israel, passed away over Shabbat. Among Ronen's many accomplishments was the establishment of the "Nahalal Forum," which encompassed right-wing secular Zionist Jews. He also helped establish Kibbutz Gilgal in the Jordan Valley in 1973, and in more recent years was associated with efforts to help Jews build communities in Judea and Samaria.

Tributes poured in mourning Ronen's loss. The "Homesh First" group said that "Zafrir Ronen was a true partner in the efforts to return to Homesh." Women in Green called him "a proud Jew who fought for the Land of Israel with his whole heart and soul." MK Aryeh Eldad said that "Zafrir was a tireless fighter for the Land of Israel and the right of Jews to settle in all its parts." His funeral will take place on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Moshav Moledet in northern Israel.