Olive Tree Initiative – Backers Come To Ariel

The Olive Tree Initiative, originating from the University of California at Irvine, has been the subject of considerable controversy over the past few months. The program – designed to improve the campus educational environment – brings various students to Israel to get a firsthand look at what is going on behind the headlines. However, it has been suggested that their visits to Israel bring them in contact with a disproportionate number of anti-Zionists and Israel antagonists instead of presenting a balanced exposure to both. That is until the group meets with Mayor Ron Nachman.

On March 30th a delegation of philanthropists who fund the project came to Ariel. The group’s objective was to get a clearer picture of what an Olive Tree Initiative participant would experience. Mayor Nachman dedicated a significant amount of time to giving the group a clear perspective on what Ariel is all about. From the first day to its current successes, Mayor Nachman helped his guests understand why Ariel is an absolute necessity to the survival of the State of Israel. As with Olive Tree Initiative student groups, the participants came away with a new perspective on life in Samaria – something that they were not accustomed to hearing about in the popular media.

Following the meeting with Mayor Nachman the group asked to meet with a representative of the Netzarim community – formerly from Gush Katif. Rabbi Itzik Vazana told the group about what it was like to live in the Gaza Strip as well as the challenges of rebuilding their lives following the “Disengagement”. Itzik also related to the recent massacre of the Fogel family in Itamar. The Fogels were founding members of the Netzarim community in Ariel. Their tragic loss sheds light on the different cultures that are currently present in Samaria as well as the moral distinction between those cultures. He spoke of his community’s resilience and their resolve to settle down in Ariel despite countless bureaucratic obstacles. Although the Netzarim experience is a unique one, it too is now an integral part of life in Ariel.

It is hard to know precisely what Olive Tree Initiative participants experienced during their trip to Israel. However, it is clear that their visit to Ariel leaves a lasting impression.