4 3 1 2 214 215 Chapter Sixteen| Regrowth During these challenging days, the leadership felt that nothing went smoothly in their a�empts to aid the communi�es, having to tackle each impediment they encountered,6 star�ng with planning issues, laying the infrastructure and connec�ng to the sewage, electricity and water systems, and ending up with collabora�ng with the various bodies and se�lements from which the land was taken to establish the new se�lements. They knew all too well that if they waited for someone else to do the work, nothing would move, no one in the government offices would push for a solu�on; and therefore, they had to roll up their sleeves and get involved in every detail, big or small, in all the sites planned for establishing se�lements. In the East Lakish region, the state had to be convinced to establish a new se�lement zone. Although Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared the place of na�onal importance7, Green organiza�ons strongly opposed it, and only a�er the Supreme Court's decision pertaining to Lakish was given was it possible to start planning the place, which significantly prolonged construc�on. For the establishment of the se�lement Neta, for example, an approval of the Na�onal Commi�ee for Planning and Construc�on was required, a�er 15 appeals were submi�ed for and against the plan. Green organiza�ons opposed the experts who argued that it was important to create a sequence of se�lements in East Lakish, arguing that it would endanger the ma�ng areas of rare bu�erflies.8 In Nitzan, the administra�on refused to allow community members who rented homes in Gush Ka�f and did not own their own houses to join the communal process. Neve Dekalim community had to wage a vigorous and protracted struggle against government officials to provide a humane response to all its members, homeowners and tenants alike, even at the cost of delaying the permanent solu�on. Eventually, the clerkship aligned with the community's posi�on, a move that also received the approval of the Inves�ga�on Commi�ee.9 Be'er Ganim—a se�lement comprised of a cluster of se�lements, with separate neighborhoods for each community—had to find a way to consolidate members of various communi�es into one cohesive se�lement and recons�tute the original community. The new se�lement of Yad Binyamin in Nahal Sorek became home for all the uprooted families. Some were designated to move to another se�lement - Ganei Tal; Others - residents from different Gush Ka�f se�lements who le� their original communi�es - wanted to remain in Yad Binyamin. It was necessary to connect them to the common uprooted community and also to the other residents, their new neighbors. In Haluza, the former Gush Ka�f residents stormed the desolate land, and very quickly one could see green vegeta�on taking over vast areas. Public buildings and educa�onal ins�tu�ons were built quickly, but another new phenomenon awaited them: They found themselves in an en�rely secular regional council. Once the first tensions emerged, the Eshkol Regional Council was smart enough to ini�ate meet-and-greet sessions between veteran residents and newcomers. In Ariel, members of the Netzarim community had to learn how to preserve their communal framework, which was so important to them within the urban system where they wanted to live and work. Dilemmas In some communi�es, the new reality generated significant dilemmas: Where should they establish the new se�lement? What is the value and ideological banner they would raise from now on? Simultaneously, temporary residences had to be organized, and the sensa�on of 'transience,' which affected the whole fabric of their life, had to be fought. For example, at Ganei Tal, they decided that the containers would remain outside the residen�al area to maintain its beauty. Many people were deba�ng how to con�nue living, and many decisions had to be made, like: Should they invest in improving their temporary residences or save the money for a permanent home? Should they cul�vate their gardens? Was it worth ge�ng a�ached to a piece of land again? Should they expand the motor homes or perhaps build a pergola? How long should they stay there? And how much money should be saved for a permanent home? Every such decision required a great deal of mental strength and significantly affected the mood of the uprooted. Aid Organiza�ons It is worth no�ng that good people from all over Israel and from all walks of life invested �me, money and energy to provide hope to the people of Gush Ka�f. A few days a�er the disengagement, the aid organiza�on 'For Our Brothers' was established. It mobilized thousands of volunteers in various fields of ac�vity, coordinated an extensive aid network of many organiza�ons, and was also in contact with government aid organiza�ons. The organiza�on helped the leadership of the uprooted communi�es rehabilitate and formed the infrastructure for establishing the 'Se�lers Commi�ee.' Thanks to its good connec�ons with the communi�es and other aid associa�ons, its simple opera�on basis, zero bureaucracy and decentralized ac�vity, the organiza�on offered extensive help.10 Three special aid organiza�ons were established: 'Lev Ehad' ("One Heart"), 'For My Brothers' ("LeAhenu"), and 'Ta'asuKa�f.' Exis�ng en��es were also mobilized: The Yesha Council, youth movements and, of course, the Legal Forum for the Land of Israel, which included Adv. Itzhak Miron, Adv. Yossi Fuchs and other lawyers. Members of the Legal Forum toiled at caring for the uprooted residents, conduc�ng damage control and correc�ng wrongs in the evic�on-compensa�on law. Everything they have done was voluntary.11 Also worthy of apprecia�on are the women of the Har Nof neighborhood in Jerusalem, who gave all Gush Ka�f members who got married a rich wedding set with household equipment and have con�nued doing so for years. The gi� gave the newlyweds hope, warmed their hearts and helped them financially. When the residents moved to motor homes or trailers - a pseudo-permanent, temporary solu�on, a�er staying in hotels, educa�onal ins�tu�ons and various guesthouses - the establishment of new se�lements for the mul�ple communi�es had kickstarted. The Se�lers' Commi�ee quickly realized that it would be difficult to unite all the uprooted people into one se�lement block. The two op�ons that came up at the �me were: The Nitzanim Coast and the Negev area. Those in favor of Nitzanim preferred the proximity to the center, both for ideological reasons, i.e., se�lement among the people of Israel, and for prac�cal reasons, the convenience of being in the center. Those in favor of the Negev region wanted to con�nue se�ling the Land of Israel and con�nue their pioneer work - the mission they have started in Gush Ka�f. In their opinion, only this would be the cure for the uproo�ng pains.12 1 Pouring the founda�ons for the new Negev se�lements 2 The sign at the entrance to the new se�lement Halutzit ת in the Negev 3 Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon accepts the Moskowitz Award for the 'Ta'asuKa�f' project 4 'Dowry' for brides - women from Har Nof care for Gush Ka�f brides
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