Key facts
- Israeli settlers have returned to the settlement of Kadim in the occupied West Bank, 21 years after its evacuation.
- Thirty "pioneer families" arrived at Kadim on Thursday, with support from Israeli government ministers.
- The return is part of a broader Israeli government effort to expand settlements in the West Bank.
- Palestinian residents near Kadim expressed fear of displacement, demolition of property, and increased settler violence.
- New Israeli military bases and an outpost are under construction in the Jenin area.
- Palestinian businesses along a road near Kadim have been demolished by the Israeli army.
A new generation of Israeli settlers has returned to the settlement of Kadim in the occupied West Bank, two decades after it was evacuated by a previous Israeli government. Thirty "pioneer families" arrived on Thursday, accompanied by Israeli government ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Smotrich stated that the return marked a "correction" after the 2005 expulsion.
Kadim, located near the Palestinian city of Jenin, was dismantled in 2005 as part of Israel's unilateral Disengagement Plan. The current Israeli government overturned the ban on settling in the area, and Kadim is the last of the four settlements evacuated in 2005 to be reopened. Ganim, Sanur, and Homesh have already been re-established.
Palestinian residents expressed deep fear and resignation. A local farmer described watching the settlement being built, evacuated, and now rebuilt, fearing further displacement and the demolition of businesses. He noted that his family had already fled their original home in 1948. Another resident, a teacher living near a newly established settlement, described harassment by settlers, including being filmed and having floodlights shone into his home at night.
Peace Now reports that the Israeli government has approved over 100 new settlements since late 2022, with 19 in the northern West Bank. The rapid construction is seen by some as a race to expand settlements before upcoming elections. Two new Israeli military bases are also under construction in the Jenin area, and a military outpost is being built on seized Palestinian land near Jenin Refugee Camp. The Palestinian Authority Governor for Jenin voiced concerns that this signalled a plan to divide Palestinian cities. The Israeli army has also recently demolished Palestinian shops and businesses along a road near Kadim.