A busload of PSI members and our friends spent the day Thursday, 11 March, touring "outposts and settlements" in the areas of Binyamin and the Shomron. Guided by the tireless and remarkable Daniela Weiss, Mayor of Kedumim, we proceeded from place to place with mixed feelings. On one hand, it was exhilarating and uplifting to meet the young pioneers, raising our spirits with their acceptance of the task of defenders of the land in body and in spirit. On the other hand, there was a sad undercurrent of the threats of actions by our own government, highlighted by the constant refrain: "What has happened to Arik?"
The trip took us to a number of sites near the main centers of Kedumim, Shilo, and Ofra, with emphasis on new "hilltops" and "outposts" that seem to be on the list for dismantling. Here are the stops we made:
-- The "wall": We stood on an embankment overlooking the separation line south of Kalkilya (who says professors can't climb to the top of a hill with the best of them?). Here we could see a section of the wall and a piece of the fence. Daniela convinced us that the fence is so easy to breach that its existence poses more of a threat than if there would be no physical dividing line at all.
-- Proceeding through Kedumim, we arrived at Chavat Gilad. Here we met Itai Zar (son of the legendary Moshe Zar) and his wife Batia, who were forced twice to leave earlier sites where they lived in tents on sand floors. Now they live in a caravan on a farming site belonging to Moshe Zar, which might mean that they are safer than before from the danger of being uprooted.
-- The next stop was Yitzhar. We passed through one of the neighborhoods of this settlement to a point overlooking Mitzpeh Yitzhar, a site that was reported to have been torn down by the army, but in reality was never abandoned at all. The fantastic view from the site includes large sections of the land and enhances security of the entire area. Another hill that is part of Yitzhar, with permanent buildings, is also under threat of being dismantled.
-- From there, we went on to Givat Haroeh, one of the neighborhoods of the town of Eli. Each of these separate neighborhoods has its own character, and together they make up a unique combination of the variations of Israeli society. The first permanent buildings in Givat Haroeh were built with government approval in 2001 and 2002, but the inhabitants were served with withdrawal orders signed by the regional commander in January 2004. Since then, the withdrawal has been delayed by court action (including the case brought by the PSI against these arbitrary orders).
-- At the next stop, Givat Achiya, also in the vicinity of Eli, we met Ronit Shoker. She described how she and her husband defied personal tragedy to continue their project of planting thousands of olive trees in the area (he has been hospitalized and immobile for the last three years because of a tragic accident). Her neighbor emphasized the local ideal of using Jewish labor exclusively for building their homes and for their agricultural labors. The Shoker family built an olive press which is used by all their neighbors.
-- Passing the "outposts" of Adei-Ad and Kida, we paused briefly to hear the story of Yael Zoldan, living in another site in imminent danger of being destroyed.
-- The last stop was Ginat Aryeh, a neighborhood built within the municipal boundaries of Ofrah. This site is also under threat of destruction.
The entire trip was memorable for the recurring themes that we heard and saw. Large areas that were in the past regularly traversed by Arabs have been reclaimed by these amazing young men and women. If such a small number of people can have such an effect on the land, just think what a larger effort could accomplish. Daniela repeatedly noted how a large enough group of people available on short notice can delay an attempt to dismantle a site by physically blocking the approach of the authorities. The people of Yesha have gathered lists of volunteers who can be called on to defend the sites on short notice, and they are eager to add our names to the lists.
And, finally, we return to the original question: What has happened to Arik? After all, again and again we visited sites which he helped establish, not very long ago. Daniela told a personal story: Arik Sharon phoned her a year ago to offer consolation for the murders of her son-in-law and his parents in Elon Moreh. He reminded Daniela that she had quoted from the Bible in support of the settlements, but he noted that in the meantime, "Hitrachakti mizeh - I have moved away from this position." Does this somehow explain what he has in mind? Is it some indication of his future direction? Only time will tell.
All in all, this was an exciting trip. We owe our thanks to all of those who organized it, including Dr. Ron Breiman, Daniela Weiss, and the brave young people that we met.