When will the settlers of Kiryat Shemonah reestablish their presence in their communities?

Dec 2, 2024 - 12:16

Kiryat Shemonah, a renowned enclave of Zionist settlers---located in the northern reaches of the occupied Palestinian territories, has recently garnered significant media attention. This settlement has emerged as a focal point of Hezbollah’s counter-attack over the past several months, resulting in the exodus of the Israeli settlers from the northern borders of Palestine. Established in the aftermath of the Israeli regime’s establishment in 1948, on the ruins of the obliterated Palestinian village of Khasla, this illegitimate settlement now endures relentless missile strikes from the Lebanese resistance, who are fighting valiantly in support of the besieged people of Gaza. Today, the prospect of re-establishing Kiryat Shemona's settlers serves as one of the primary objectives for Israeli officials in the wake of the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon. Nonetheless, a recent survey conducted by the Knesset Research and Information Center (RIC) indicates that over 60% of Kiryat Shmona's settlers vehemently oppose returning, even after the end of hostilities. This prevalent sentiment is reflected in other Israeli settlements throughout northern Palestine as well. For example, David Azoulay, the Mayor of the Israeli settlement of Metula in northern Israel, has expressed his steadfast commitment to preventing the return of residents to this border enclave. He has urged Israeli society to refrain from returning to the northern regions altogether.