Four years ago, Amana began preparing the grounds west of Neria, opening a road towards the "Post Intersection" and preparing the land for agriculture. Several of the youth from Talmon and Neria planted olive trees in the area.

In Neria, the idea of establishing a new neighborhood in the area arose a number of times. But with the murder of Rav Shlomo Ra'anan in Hebron in the summer of 5748 (1998), the matter become more serious. Rav Raanan's daughter, then a resident of Neria, pushed for gaining hold of the location. The idea was received with great enthusiasm, and the name, "Zayit Ra'anan" (from a verse in Jeremiah) was given to the area, in memory of Rav Ra'anan.

Last year, caravans were set up (all within the municipal plan of Neria), and on the 13th of Tamuz the first two families arrived. Currently there are 5 families living in Zayit Ra'anan.

Zayit Ra'anan is an integral part of Neria. All of the basic services - schools, kindegarten, mazkirut - are based in Neria. Several Neria residents make the half hour walk to help complete the minyan in Zayit Ra'anan on Shabbatot.

The Zionist Histadrut is currently developing a plan for building 130 plots in the area, including plots for agriculture.