Crossing the Yarden

By Yarden Frankl

Confessions of an ideological settler

Last week I wrote that my decision to move to Neve Daniel was more practical than philosophical. This week, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with someone who is admittedly "all ideological." Sitting with him in his home did a lot to erase some preconceived notions I had held.

If you have heard of the settlement of Maale Rechavam, it is probably only because the name has been featured in the news quite a bit. It is one of the "illegal outposts" that Prime Minister Olmert has promised the United States would be removed, as part of the Middle East Peace Road Map.

I'll admit, I do not normally sympathize with things that are referred to as "illegal." Illegal drugs, illegal weapons, illegal aliens are all items that you want to be as far away from as possible. Isn't an "illegal outpost" in the same category?

I know that in Israel, there is often more to the story than meets the eye, so I decided to pay a visit to this place and make my own judgments. I did not come with either a left-wing or right-wing agenda, but to understand more what kind of place this is, and why it may soon be destroyed.

Maale Rachavam is located in Eastern Gush Etzion, a mountainous region that is full of stunning views. Yet, it is as desolate as it is beautiful. From any of the surrounding hilltops, you can look for miles and miles and see no life whatsoever. I do not want to make a political statement, but "unoccupied territory" is probably the best descriptive term for this vast, empty land.

The settlement is located within the municipal boundaries of Nokdim. Maale Rachavam is not a Palestinian owned hilltop that a man stuck a caravan on. This is part of a legal settlement, a part that until now has been devoid of all life and infrastructure. Even Peace Now admits that this new neighborhood (a single kilometer from the rest of Nokdim) is built on State land, there is no Arab claim to it. The government has provided funds to pave a road to it. I admit that I am confused why the government would fund roads to make it easier for people to get to their homes while at the same time declaring that the homes are "illegal."

Gadi lives in Maale Rechavim. He is the absolute embodiment of the Zionist pioneer. While I am very proud of my accomplishment moving here, there is a difference. When we drove up, Gadi was toiling in the hot sun, working on his house. The house may not look like much, but he has built it himself out of the local rock. (Don't worry, they have plenty of that). Gadi doesn't get that many visitors. He had this to say:

Look around you. We came out here to be close to the land. It doesn't matter if you are religious or secular, academic or not, you are welcome. We have only requirement, that you are willing to build what you need yourself.

It may not look so pretty, but everything here we built with our own labor. Someone once pointed out that one of my walls is a bit crooked. O.K ., it is. My wall may not be straight, but it's mine.

Did I get the right permit to build my house, no. That is correct. If someone in Jerusalem is caught building without the proper permit, he must go and pay a fine, a big fine. That's o.k. If they want to fine me, I'll pay, I'll take care of it. But the settlement is within Nokdim. Why should I have to move?

We have a nice small synagogue. A young woman came here from Czechoslovakia and told me she wanted to build a synagogue. With her own hands she worked like crazy turning an old leaky caravan into a Bet Knesset. She is now an IDP bomb sapper. Was it a crime for her to build this synagogue?

Gadi and his neighbors are not criminals. They are proud Zionists, and proud Israelis. They have served in the Army and care deeply about the land of Israel. They have not taken away anyone's land, they have reclaimed it from the wilderness. With the sweat of their brows, they are making the desert bloom.

Take the short drive from Efrat and see this area for yourself. Go talk to Gadi and his neighbors. Gaze at the desolate and beautiful countryside that they call "home."

Just do it soon.

I don't know, maybe I am becoming a little bit "ideological" after all.

Shabbat Shalom from our blessed nation

© 2006 Yarden Frankl