Israeli Settlement Movement Continues Across Generations and Regions
Eighty years after the establishment of the 11 points in the Negev, the spirit of Israeli settlement is being honored and continued through various communities, including Kibbutz Be'eri, Kibbutz Beit HaShita, and Kedumim. The article draws a connection between these diverse locations, highlighting their shared history of pioneering, resilience, and rebuilding.
Kedumim, a settlement in the West Bank, displays a sign thanking residents of Kibbutz Ein Harod and Moshav Ram On for their assistance in its founding, illustrating the collaborative nature of settlement efforts. The author views settlement in Judea and Samaria as a crucial security need to prevent a terror state in central Israel, but more importantly, as a continuation of the Zionist endeavor of a people returning to their land.
Kibbutz Be'eri, one of the 11 points established in the Negev on October 6, 1946, is presented as a symbol of both the devastating loss experienced during the October 7th attacks and the subsequent remarkable resilience and rebuilding efforts. Major General (res.) Yossi Bachar from Be'eri, who suffered personal loss, is highlighted for his leadership in defending the kibbutz and his role in the subsequent military campaign.
Kibbutz Beit HaShita is also recognized for its history of sacrifice, particularly during the Yom Kippur War, where it lost 11 members. The song "The Wheat Grows Again" by Dorit Tzameret, written after the war, symbolizes hope emerging from pain. The article notes the continued spirit of pioneering and contribution exemplified by the family of Dor Ben-Shimon from Beit HaShita, who fell in recent conflict.
The article emphasizes the importance of unity in settlement, recalling the diverse backgrounds of those who established the 11 points in the Negev. It also points to the example of Musa Peled from Beit HaShita and his wife, who demonstrate how to live together in love despite ideological differences, suggesting this model could be applied nationally.
