Jewish settlements
The Etzion bloc in the hills of Judean Kfar Etzion
Three trials
The Lone Tree
Migdal Eder (1927-1929)
The first attempt in modern times to settle this particular area was made in 1927 by a group of pious Jews from Jerusalem. Land was purchased from te local Arabs by the Zichron David Company in order to establish an agrarisch settlement. The original pioneers , who included Yemenite origin, intended to establisch a diary farm and to plan orchards. A biblical name 'Migdal Eder'(Genesis 35:21) was given to the village, reflecting a strong religous and historical connection to the area. During the Arabic riots 0f 1929 Migdal Eder was abandoned and completely destroyed. The settlers who found refuge in the nearby Russian monastry and subsequently in the Arab village of Beit Umar, were ultimately evacuated by the British to Jerusalem.
Kfar Etzion (1934-1936)
The second attempt to establish an agricultural setlement in this area, was launched by the El Hahar Company. It purchased considerable lands and launched a village called Kfar Etzion. It was named in honour of Shmuel Tzvi Holtzman, one of the founding fathers of the community (Etz in Hebrew is 'Holz' in German and in Yiddish 'wood'). This village suffered the same fate as Migdal Eder and during the Arabic riots of 1936-1939 was also abondand and destroyed.
The Etzion bloc
The third attempt to gain foothold in this part of the Judean Hills was launched to April 1943. It coincided with the unprising of the Warshaw ghetto. A group of idealistic pioneers accepted the challenge to establish a permanent settlement in this problematic area. They were fully aware of the rocky nature of the terrain, the shortage of water, the stormy and bitterly cold winters and the precarious security situation. Nevertheless in true pioneering spirit, they elected to move to this significant area despite the difficulties which it presented. They were determined to found a kibbutz on this hillside. Many had acquired inital training in the new and revolutionary way of life as members of the Bnei Akiva religious Zionist youth movement in Poland. Several years of agricultural work in temporary quarters in the Hadera area provided further preparation for this most difficult venture.
Kfar Etzion Journal, April 1943
'For us this day marks the end of one period and beginning of another -a period of conquest and settlement. We know that the task we have assumed is a difficult one.... In Kfar Etzion we shall be opening up a new and exceedingly difficult area for Jewish settlers. We shall have to dedicate all our spiritals an material resources to strike sturdy roots here... It is a terrible period we are living through. Our relatives in and our fellow-Jews are experiencing a horrible fate in Europe. Great Jewish communities are being totaly annihilated, we can only seek consolation in our efforts to rebuild our country, to develop a secure homeland, which can serve as a haven for those who survive.'
An a abandoned German monastry building served as living quarters for the first members of Kibbutz Kfar Etzion. Here they began their labor of love and here they welcomed the sabbaths with joy. Their major efforts were directed at first toward the physical development of the area. This included the arduous task of clearing boulders in order to cultivate the land. The hillcountry provided to be eminently suited for the planting of fruit trees and vines. After four years of dedicated care, the first fruits were picked. A meaningfull ceremony marked this event in which the joy and gratitude of a modest home, a dininghall, children's quarters and a cultural hall. A guesthouse was opened for those who wished to enjoy the cool summerweather in the Judean Hills. A large watercistern was hewn out to collect the winterrains and light industry was introduced.
In addition to the physical development of the area, the members of the kibbutz did not neglect the social, cultural and religion aspect of kibbutz life. New immigrants were absorbed including holocaust survivors. A school was established for the childeren and kindergartens were opened for the younger ones. Classes and various clubs further enriched the lives of the pioneers. The sabbaths and holidays served as a strong source of spirital inspiration. As the population of Kfar Etzion grew to some 220 inhabitants (including 57 childeren) there was a feeling of of satisfaction among the members. Their dream was becoming a reality in the Judean Hills.
Kfar Etzion Journal, summer 1946
'It is not so that this was our dream for many years before arriving at this place? To build, to plant, to concuer the wasteland... to awaken in the heart of each member a sense of security and a love for creativity, to implant them firmly in the national homeland. We constantly prayed for such a settlement and behold it is development before our very eyes. It has become a reality thanks to young dreamers, who though lacking experience are both enthusiastic and courages... Blessed is the Lord who has sustained us and enable us to reach this season in this place.'
The isolation of the kibbutz was relieved in Oktober 1945, with the establishment of another kibbutz in the same area, Kibbutz Massuot Yitzchak. Its founders were young pioneers, principally from Hongary and Czechoslavakia, who escaped the horrors of the holocaust. Upon arrival, they immedately undertook the difficult task of building terraces and planting thousands of trees. The kibbutz was named in honor of the chief rabbi Yitzchak Halevi Herzogm numbered some 111 inhabitants, including twelve childeren. In a very short time, they made significant strides in strengthening their community as they transformed a desolate place in the Judean Hills into a promising agricultural settlement.
The Etzion Bloc was composed of four Jewish settlements in the various stages of development in the autumn of 1947. It's total population was slightly more than fourhundred inhabitants. They were approximately 2,500 acres of land in Jewish ownership in the region. The pioneers had begun to strike roots in their ancient homeland. Plans for future included the further introduction of light industry, planting additional orchards and further constructions of permanent quarters. The possibillity founding a fift community was under serious consideration. The Etzion Bloc was growing and its future appeared promising in November 1947.
The turning point - November 29, 1947
The resolution passed by the United Nations Assembly passed by on November 29, 1947. They provided for the partition of the land of Israël. Three new political entities were to be established upon the determination of the British mandate
1. A Jewish state of minimal proporti
2. A new Arabic state
3. An 'International zone' consisting of Jeruzalem and her immidiate surroundings.
Many jews sang and danced trough the night as they rejoiced over the prospects of the founding of the Jewish state. The residence of Gush Etzion joined in the national celebration despite the fact that their communities (located on the Judean Hills) were to be included in the new Arabic state.
The United States decision was totally rejected by the Arabs, who opposed the founding of a Jewish state. Their immediate respons included attacks on Jewish traffic and the burning of jewish stores in the mixed commercial areas. A charismatic leader (Abdul Khadr El-Husseini) returned to Israël from which he had been expelled by the British. He came to the village of Suriff, a few miles west of the Etzion Bloc, to lead the struggle against the implementation of the United Nations decision and the establishment of the Jewish state.
The new political situation demanded of the settlers of Gush Etzion to become its defenders. Defense measures took precedence over agricultural work. The kibbutzmembers began digging trenches and building defense posts. The first phase of Israël's war of independence had begun....
The Siege and fall
The celebrations had no sooner ended but the struggle for survival began. The entire country became a battleground with the Etzion Bloc serving as one of the focal points of the conflicts. Warnings of the possibility of an Arab attack were received as early as December 3, 1947. Danny Mass of the famous Palmah fighting-unit arrived on December 7, with a platoon for reïnforcement. He became the first commander of Gush Etzion and supervised its fortication.
The major events which transpired in the Etzion Block during the transitionperiode between the passing of the UN-resolution and the founding of the State of Israël, are outlined below. These were five trying months of siege and battle. The endurance of the defenders was tested daily. Knowledge that their efforts were helping to save a besieged Jerusalem provided additional strength to continu the struggle. Vastly outnumbered and possessing limited amounts of light arms and ammunition, hope was maintained that aid would come from another source. This hope was shattered on the eve of the founding of the State of Israël. The well trained and superior equiped Jordanian Legion diverted its course from Jerusalem and started it attacks on the outposts oif Gush Etzion directly. In the three days battle which ensued, the Etzion Bloc fell. 151 Defenders of the kibbutz were killed. This was a great sacrifice offered up on the altar of the State of Israël.
Nineteen years of separation and longing (1948-1967)
The Etzion Bloc lay in ruins for nineteen years after its conquest and destruction. However, it did remain alive in the hearts and memories of the survivors.
The members of Massuot Yitzchak, Ein Tsurim and Revadim were released after nine months of imprisonment in the Jordanian 'prisioner-of-war-camp'. Upon their return of the State of Israël, they found that the Etzion Bloc (like most of the Judean Hills) was outside the borders of the young state and under administration. The settlers consequently turned to the coastal strip, where they succeeded in reëstablishing their villages.
The Kfar Etzion community was in a more difficult predicament. Following the loss of more than eighty of its members, it population now included numerous widows and orphans. Bravely they strengthened one another as they maintained their kibbutz way of life in temporary quarters at Givet Haaliyah, on the outskirt of Jaffa. After four trying years, the adult population decided that it was impossible to continue to function as an independent kibbutz under such abnormal conditions. The proud closely-knit group of childeren were deeply destressed by this decisison.They were linked together by a strong bond which they desired to maintain.
A few of the courages survivors founded the village of Nir Etzion in the Camel region. The scenery in the hill-country was reminiscent of the beloved Judean Hills, from which they had been cruelly uprooted. Other members of Kfar Etzion gradually reëstablished themselves within the religious kibbutz movements as well as in other places in the country.
The memory of the Etzion Bloc was preserved and strengthened as the years of seperation continued. One moving reminder was the Memorial day service which was conducted annually at the militairy cemetary on Mount Herzel in Jerusalem. Here the names of the 240 forty defenders who lost their lives in the various battle for the defence of the Etzion Bloc were recited. Following the service, excursions were taken to places from which the Etzion Bloc could be seen in a distance. Gazing across the border, it was the large oaktree which could be distinguished. It stood once in the heart of the once-thriving Etzion Bloc.
A second reminder was the unique summercamp experience which was shared each year by the childeren of Kfar Etzion. Various places in the camp were named after sites in the Etzion Bloc. Songs and other programmes were dedicated to the theme of Gush Etzion. The spirit of Gush Etzion remained alive in these summercamps.
The organisation of the survivors of the Etzion Bloc also contributed significantly to the perpetuation of the memory of the Etzion Bloc. All relevant information on the subject was carefully gathered and preserved in the Gush Etzion archives. Literature was published on the theme including the classic work, Siege in the Hill of Hebron, by Dov Knohl. Other activities were also sponsored by the organisation.
The Etzion Bloc was beyond the border and inaccessable for nineteen years. The hope of returning however, was never relinquished. The yearning continued until the dramatic events of the 'Six day War'.
From the anthem composed by the Kfar Etzion-campers:
'We the childeren of Etzion are founding a camp here... Before us is the goal. To maintain the tradition of our fathers and not to permit the glowing ember to become extinquished. To remain united and to plan for the future....
For nineteen years we looked longing at Gush Etzion from a distance. Annualy, on the date of the birthday of the kibbutz, we should take a trip to the Judean Hills, from the heights of Bar Giora, Abu Gosh or Maale Hachamisha, we could see the tree. I symbolized the Etzion Bloc for us, the place where our kibbutz was initially founded. We would look, relate stories and reminisce'
Member of Revadim
www.hebron.org.il (English links)
www.maara.hebron.org.il
www.hebron.co.il (Hebrew link)
Visit Hebron
www.visit.hebron.org.il
Bronnen:
Eigen bevindingen tijdens mijn reis naar Israel (27 februari 2010)
Informatiemateriaal afkomstig van Kirjat Arba (Hebron) en Gush Etzion
Enkele dagen geleden werd ik geconfronteerd met het verhaal van Gush Etzion. Gush Etzion was niet de eerste settlement waar ik geweest ben tijdens mijn verblijfin Israel, de afgelopen weken. In het noorden heb ik de resten gezien van een settlement die met de grond gelijk gemaakt is door de Syriers. Beide verhalen hebben mij geraakt. In beide gevallen heeft niemand van de aanwezige slachtoffers het meer na kunnen vertellen. Waarom is dit gebeurd? Is het omdat er geen plaats is voor Israël op haar eigen grondgebied? Het hele gebied waar de settlement van Gush Etzion (nu nog) te vinden is (gelukkig is de volgende generatie toch weer teruggekomen naar haar eigen grondgebied) is grootendeels leeg op enkele Arabische steden en settlements na. Er is meer dan genoeg ruimte voor iedereen om een goed bestaan op te bouwen voor iedereen op de Westbank. Wat is dan het probleem als het gaat om mensen met een joodse identiteit die terug willen komen op hun eigen grondgebied? Te beginnen met het Amerikaans consulaat die de staat Israel al vervangen heeft voor Palestina op de officiële landkaart...
Waarom is het dat Arabieren gewoon kunnen wonen in plaatsen waar de Joodse identiteit de overhand heeft en dat het omgekeerde bijna niet mogelijk is? De islam sluit het christendom (of overgaan tot het christendom) uit op haar grondgebied. Veel christenen (vooral in de Libanon) zijn omgebracht of gevlucht. Waarom denkt de wereld dat Arabieren arm zijn? Ik heb erg veel Arabieren gezien met grote huizen, mooie auto's en hele praktische werkplaatsen. Vooral rondom Jeruzalem zitten heel veel Palestijnen die erg goed zijn in het repareren van auto's en hier hun dagelijks brood mee verdienen. Daarintegen heb ik juist wel weer Joodse mensen in Hebron zien wonen in huizen, waar ik niet aan zou moeten denken om daar in te gaan wonen... Ondanks de slechte behuizing blijven ze hier wonen om hun grondgebied vast te houden. Ondanks de problemen die ze regelmatig ondervinden, kiezen deze mensen er voor om niet weg te gaan. Voor deze mensen heb ik heel veel respect!
Ook heb ik gezien in Hebron dat er huizen (in het belang van het vredesproces) ontruimd zijn, maar niet meer bewoond worden. Het heeft veel weg van een stad waar het leven uit wegvloeit, maar waar tevens nog volop Joods leven aanwezig is! De meerderheid van de Arabieren wil hier niet wonen en de Israeliers mogen de huizen niet in bezit nemen.... In 1929 is het hele medische team hier uitgemoord door palestijnen, terwijl de arts en de verpleegkundigen geen onderscheid maakten in wie zij behandelden. Alle inwoners waren in hun ogen gelijk. Er was geen verschil in behandeling op medisch en sociaal niveau. Toch zijn de arts en de verpleegkundigen als eerste vermoord van dit ziekenhuis. Wat een zinloze actie... Vandaag de dag is het zo dat de Joodse bevolking slechts op een klein stukje van 3% van de huidige (oude) stad (Kiryat Arba) mag wonen. Het overige deel plus de grote stad grenzend aan de oude stad mag worden bewoond door Palestijnen. Het verkeer wat in de joodse wijk moet zijn, is aangewezen op slechts één enkel straatje. Joodse inwoners zijn bijna allemaal onteigend van hun bezit. Waar Arabieren volop mogen bouwen, is dat recht ontzegd aan de Israëliers in de stad. Hoe ongelijk wil je het hebben.....
Shalom Israel !
As a visitor of Israel I have heard and seen this story at Gush Etzion, a few days ago. I can not forget what I have seen on the place of remembrance. This was not the first settlement I heard a story like this. I have seen another one during my visit, in the North. In 1976 the Syrian army destroyed it totally. Nobody survived here either. Why not? Just because there is no place for an Israeli state here, I suppose ? The whole Judean Hills are almost empty, except some Jewish settlements and some Arabic villages and cities. There is more then enough space for everyone to live in the Judean Hills (for example) to build up a good life. Why is it that the jews are not wanted here? To start with the American Ambassy that do not longer have Israël on their map in their offices....
Why is it that I have seen Arabic people living in a Jewish nabourhoods, but very often no Christians and Jews in Arabic nabourhoods. Why does the world think that Arabic people are poor? I have seen double houses for the whole family, cars and workingplaces. They can easily make their living. At the other hand I have seen Jewish families living in old houses in Hebron, I would not like to live at all. They stay where they are between Arabics, inspite of the troubles. They do not want to loose the ground they live on. I do have more respect for them than anybody else......
I also have seen in Hebron that houses that has been given up bij Israelisch because of the peace-degreement, are stil empty after two (or more) years. The houses stay empty. Palestinians do not want to live here and the Israelian inhabitants may not live in these houses. In the past the medical staff has been murdered here, while they did not make any difference between jew and palestinian... What a senseless action.... Today no more than 3% of Hebron (Kiryat Arba) may be used by Jewish citizens. The two other parts are strictly for Palestinians. Jewish traffic is confined to a minuscule area and just to one street ! The Jewish population is almost deprived of their property rights. Where the Arabs build massively in Hebron, the right to build is almost totally denied to the Jewish population... There are no equal rights in Hebron (Kiryat Arba) for jews and arabs.
Shalom Israel !