Gov't reaches deal with Atzmona evacuees, Shomriya
By HERB KEINON
The government approved a plan on Sunday to turn over Kibbutz Shomriya in the eastern Lachish region to some 60 families who were evacuated from Gush Katif, most of them from Atzmona.
The government signed an agreement with the 13 families living at the Kibbutz, which has been in difficult straits for some time, regarding their relocation with government compensation to nearby Kibbutz Dvir, and turning over the property at Shomriya to the group from Gush Katif.
According to the plan, the entire kibbutz, including the homes, public buildings, fields and dairy-farm will be turned over to the families from Atzmona. The kibbutz homes will serve as temporary housing until permanent homes are built on kibbutz lands.