First Settler Recounts Dramatic Night Establishing Beit El
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Dr. Mati Erlichman, an early settler in Beit El, recounted the settlement's founding challenges as part of a heritage project. Initially living in a Jordanian army base, settlers moved into unfinished housing units one night to preempt a High Court injunction. Erlichman highlighted the vital role of women and the settlers' self-reliance in building essential infrastructure like sewage systems.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dr. Mati Erlichman, an early Beit El settler, shared memories of the settlement's founding.
- The settlers initially lived in a military camp and used former Jordanian army buildings.
- Women played a crucial role in the settlement's establishment, according to Erlichman.
- Settlers moved into prefabricated housing units urgently one night to avoid a court order.
- The settlers built their own sewage system after moving into the new units.
Dr. Mati Erlichman, one of the first settlers in Beit El, has shared his memories of the settlement's early days and the challenges faced by its founders. His account is part of a project by the Ministry of Heritage and the Council for the Preservation of Heritage Sites in Israel, aimed at documenting the establishment of settlements across various regions. The project includes hundreds of interviews to preserve the stories of the pioneers for future generations.
Erlichman recalled that the initial settlers lived within a military camp, which served as their official cover. They ate in the camp's mess hall and occupied buildings previously belonging to the Jordanian army. The first living quarters were a classroom, partitioned to separate men and women. A kitchen was built outside the room, and soldiers' facilities were used for toilets and showers.
He emphasized the crucial role of women during this period, stating they deserve the credit for the settlement's current state. For nearly a year, the settlers remained in the base until prefabricated housing units, known as 'ashkoviyot,' were built in the area where the high school yeshiva now stands.
The move into these new units happened urgently one night. Erlichman explained they heard a High Court of Justice petition was imminent, which would halt construction. Fearing the project would be stopped, they loaded their belongings and children onto a tractor and moved into the unfinished 'ashkoviyot.' They even had to build their own sewage system, guided by contractors, after completing their daily work.
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