Netzarim

Netzarim ( ) was formerly an Israeli settlement established in Gaza (about 5 km south-west of the centre of Gaza City ) in 1972. It began as a secular Nahal (Young Pioneer) outpost of the Hashomer Hatzair movement; in 1984 it became an orthodox kibbutz . A few years later, the residents decided to change from a kibbutz to a village. It was often referred to in the media as a stronghold for Religious Zionism . Its activities included a mango plantation and vineyard , hothouse cultivated yams and cherry tomatoes , and a prestigious etrog plantation. The settlement also boasted day care centers, kindergartens, a primary school, a kollel , a Yeshiva , and the Jews of Gaza Heritage Institute , which documented Jewish settlement in Gaza over the generations. The development of educational institutions independent from the Gush Katif bloc was due to its isolated location and intensifying Palestinian attacks on traffic using the only route in during the al-Aqsa Intifada . During the last several years of its existence, transportation to and from Netzarim was permitted only with armed military escorts.¹