Reut Ben Kamon was in third grade when her family was uprooted from the Neve Dekalim settlement during the 2005 disengagement from Gaza. The scenes of soldiers clashing with residents left her traumatized, she said. Yet she waxes nostalgic about life before the evacuation, describing the sand dunes she and her friends would roll down behind her home, the fresh air, the blossoms and the diverse mix of Jews who were her neighbors.
Two decades later, Ben Kamon joined several other families who braved an unseasonal bout of rain to spend the Passover seder in tents near Kibbutz Sa’ad in the Gaza envelope, as a symbolic act calling for the Jewish return to Gaza. Organized by the Nachala Israel Movement to promote new Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and the resettlement of Gaza — the encampment featured repurposed sukkahs, bouncy castles and a full lineup of speakers, children’s activities and tours. Thousands of Israelis visited over the intermediate days of the holiday.
“People call asking if they can invest in [Gaza] apartments for their children,” Nachala activist Batel Moshe said. Weiss pointed to a surge in participation in the group’s activities since the war – including tens of thousands at a recent rally – as evidence of strong public support for its goals.
“Most Israelis are in favor of resettling Gaza, if not immediately, than after an Israeli victory against Hamas,” Nachala founder Daniella Weiss said. “This is the real path of Zionism.” Somehow, if Daniella wills it, it is no dream!