Commentary

Hilltop Youth Search For Place

Jerusalem
bstacles to peace! A threat to public support for
existing settlements! Living out the Zionist
dream! Messianic visionaries or rebellious
youth?
Settling on empty hilltops in Judea and Samaria has
touched a raw nerve of the settlement movement itself,
has upset the Israeli government and has sent shock
waves through Israeli society by raising the question:
where is it legitimate for Jews to live and where not?
As part of the recent road map to peace, Israel agreed
to dismantle "illegal outposts," which were built after .
2001, on condition that Palestinian terrorism stops.
Under heavy international pressure, the Sharon govern-
ment has evicted many of them. The fate of all settle-
ments, however, is now what is at stake.
The hilltop communities are considered "illegal"
because they have not received government approval.
They have received assistance, however, from local
community councils and various ministries for infra-
structure and development, including water, electricity,
roads and telephone lines. Adjacent to or extensions of
already well-established Jewish communities, they are
protected by Israeli soldiers and residents themselves.

0

Moshe Dann, a former Detroiter and assistant
professor of history at City University of New York, is a
writer and journalist living in Jerusalem. His e-mail
address is moshedan@netvision,net.il

These outposts are built on uninhabited
a bit wild, but that is to be expected of this age
State-owned land that has not been designated
group. In general, this "cause," like the Civil
for use and is unclaimed, or on privately '
Rights movement in America, has a magnetic
owned Jewish property. No Arab-owned lands
effect. And it is part of a long tradition of reli-
are involved. There's nothing more "illegal"
gious Zionism.
about establishing a new neighborhood of an
Are these young families pioneers, messianic
already existing community than the commu-
idealists, or adolescent rebels? Or are they the
nity itself or perhaps land use anywhere in
cutting edge of a new revolution in Israeli soci-
Israel.
ety, one that has attracted thousands of young
Meanwhile, Arabs have built tens of thousands MOSHE
people who are living out the dream and com-
DANN
of homes illegally and cultivate land that they
mitment of their more established parents?
don't own throughout Judea and Samaria, and in Special to the They have rejected the affluence, self-indul-
Jewish News gence and perverse hatred of things Jewish that
the Galilee and Negev as well; the government
has ignored them, and instead is focused on
has infected Israeli society today. They repre-
removing Jews from their homes.
sent a renewed Zionism, the cutting edge of a
In reality; however, there is little difference between
new wave of settlement and dedication within the
building on hilltops and the process of settlement in
heart and heartland of Israel.
other areas throughout Israel.
These young people have revived a spirit of dedica-
The "hilltops" are populated mostly by young fami-
tion and self-sacrifice that characterized earlier Zionism
lies. A small number of teenagers living there are sim-
and nation building. What makes them different from
ply looking for a family and a place to make a make a
their predecessors is that they are challenging the Israeli
meaningful contribution. Fin-Cling themselves isn't easy.
government, not a foreign power.
Many have lived through the murder of friends. and
While many Israelis of their age are going to Asia
relatives by Arab terrorists. Some have dropped out of
and South America, taking drugs, and going to dance
school, temporarily or permanently. Most have adopt-
parties, the "hilltop people" are building families,
ed a deeply religious lifestyle. No drugs. No TV. No
homes and planting.
playing around.
In the end, the government can destroy a hilltop
These kids are serious and, despite being beaten up - outpost, but they can't crush a vision; it's the essence of
and vilified, their numbers are growing. True, some are
why we're here.

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