The conditions in Netzarim [pictured above] were arguably the most difficult in all of Jewish Gaza, as the town was an isolated Jewish enclave, accessible only by armored convoy at scheduled hours. Netzarim was surrounded by a hostile Arab population that often attacked it via terrorist infiltrations, Kassam rockets and mortar shells.
Having been thrown out of their homes, together with the rest of Gush Katif and northern Shomron almost two months ago, the people of Netzarim continue not to seek the easy path.
Itzik Vazana, a community spokesman, explained the town's current situation to Arutz-7:
"We are now residing in the [Shomron] city of Ariel, at the College of Judea and Samaria. Our children are studying in our own school, and in nurseries throughout the city. We live in the college students' caravans, but after the Sukkot holiday, the students will be returning. At that point, some of us will be going down to the Negev, to Moshav Yevul, which will be a temporary settlement point for up to two years. But a group of about 20 families has decided to remain in Ariel."
Vazana explained that the residents had a difficult ideological decision:
"We had to choose between two ideals: that of settlement in the Negev and building up a relatively barren area, or of settling in Ariel, the heart of Shomron [Samaria], together with the great social challenge that can be described as 'a face towards the Tel Aviv-Gush Dan area.' The group that will remain in Ariel will build a new neighborhood, from which it will seek to have an impact on the neighboring areas."
The two groups will continue to work together, Vazana said:
"Our dealings with the government - and there are many - will be under one umbrella, for instance. We will also hold events together.... Despite the 200 kilometers that will separate between us, our hearts will be united."
"The government has given high priority to launching our site in the Negev," Vazana added, "but things still take a long time... In addition, we have individual property claims and the like, which will be taken care of by lawyers and by each family."
Another resident, Shlomit Ziv, filled in the picture:
"I am a teacher in our school, which we transplanted in toto from Netzarim to Ariel; my family and I will be going, with the school, to the Negev for its next relocation..."
As if summing up the lack of certainty facing so many former Gush Katif residents all around the country, Shlomit said, "Our new community of Yevul will be adjacent to the new community started by people of Atzmonah in Yated, and we hope that their children will come to our school as well. Currently they travel 40 minutes each way to the Atzmonah school in Ir HaEmunah [Faith City, the encampment set up by expelled Atzmonah residents outside Netivot]."
Shlomit said that the future of the Ariel contingent of Netzarim is also not certain: "The new neighborhood they wish to build here is not yet finalized. It could be that the city will only offer them apartments scattered around the city. We hope it will work out."
Having been thrown out of their homes, together with the rest of Gush Katif and northern Shomron almost two months ago, the people of Netzarim continue not to seek the easy path.
Itzik Vazana, a community spokesman, explained the town's current situation to Arutz-7:
"We are now residing in the [Shomron] city of Ariel, at the College of Judea and Samaria. Our children are studying in our own school, and in nurseries throughout the city. We live in the college students' caravans, but after the Sukkot holiday, the students will be returning. At that point, some of us will be going down to the Negev, to Moshav Yevul, which will be a temporary settlement point for up to two years. But a group of about 20 families has decided to remain in Ariel."
Vazana explained that the residents had a difficult ideological decision:
"We had to choose between two ideals: that of settlement in the Negev and building up a relatively barren area, or of settling in Ariel, the heart of Shomron [Samaria], together with the great social challenge that can be described as 'a face towards the Tel Aviv-Gush Dan area.' The group that will remain in Ariel will build a new neighborhood, from which it will seek to have an impact on the neighboring areas."
The two groups will continue to work together, Vazana said:
"Our dealings with the government - and there are many - will be under one umbrella, for instance. We will also hold events together.... Despite the 200 kilometers that will separate between us, our hearts will be united."
"The government has given high priority to launching our site in the Negev," Vazana added, "but things still take a long time... In addition, we have individual property claims and the like, which will be taken care of by lawyers and by each family."
Another resident, Shlomit Ziv, filled in the picture:
"I am a teacher in our school, which we transplanted in toto from Netzarim to Ariel; my family and I will be going, with the school, to the Negev for its next relocation..."
As if summing up the lack of certainty facing so many former Gush Katif residents all around the country, Shlomit said, "Our new community of Yevul will be adjacent to the new community started by people of Atzmonah in Yated, and we hope that their children will come to our school as well. Currently they travel 40 minutes each way to the Atzmonah school in Ir HaEmunah [Faith City, the encampment set up by expelled Atzmonah residents outside Netivot]."
Shlomit said that the future of the Ariel contingent of Netzarim is also not certain: "The new neighborhood they wish to build here is not yet finalized. It could be that the city will only offer them apartments scattered around the city. We hope it will work out."