Children march through Samaria
Children march through SamariaSamaria local authority

More than 2,500 students from Samaria schools took part Thursday in the Samaria March. The theme was "A Decade and Back!" ("Asor v'hazor" in Hebrew) – referring to the ten years that have passed since the government's abandonment of Joseph's Tomb in Shechem, and to grassroots attempts to bring the site back to Israeli control.

The march started off in the Har Kabir Nature Reserve east of Shechem and proceeded simultaneously on three paths of varying lengths to the Ein Kfir Spring. The children were guided by professional guides and were treated to outdoor theater shows dramatizing Biblical stories.
 
The march is part of a renewal of Gush Emunim’s tradition of regularly-held mass marches. The renewal was initiated last year by the Samaria Regional Council.

As popsicles were handed out, Samaria local authority head Gershon Mesika addressed the young audience and expressed hope that “With the aid of G-d we will merit to return to Joseph’s Tomb soon, with our heads held high and proud, as a nation returning to its homeland.”

“Today's educational march through the beautiful nature paths of the Shomron around the city of Shechem is meant to strengthen our children's attachment to our holy homeland," explained David Ha'ivri, director of the Shomron Liaison Office.