Family of 10 Lives Remotely on West Bank Hilltop, Pursuing Ideals
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
The Rabinovich family of ten is living in isolation on the Shdei Yonatan hilltop in the southern West Bank, pursuing settlement ideals. They manage without government support, facing daily challenges with transportation and resources, but feel a sense of purpose. The family believes their presence enhances regional security and plans to expand their agricultural activities and the settlement itself.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The Rabinovich family with 10 children lives in isolation on the Shdei Yonatan hilltop in the southern West Bank.
- They manage without government support, relying on solar power and a water pipe from a nearby settlement.
- The family believes their presence contributes to security along the nearby Route 60.
- They are expanding agricultural activities, including olive and pomegranate orchards.
- Their goal is to grow Shdei Yonatan into a larger agricultural settlement.
- The eldest daughter, 16, describes life as challenging but purposeful.
The Rabinovich family, consisting of parents Eitan and his wife and their ten children, are living in isolation on a hilltop called Shdei Yonatan in the southern Benjamin region of the West Bank. The family, along with two other young men, are working to establish the outpost, which was founded about three years ago by a group of pioneering youths. They are pursuing the ideal of settling the land, with Eitan stating that the move stems from his and his wife's families' involvement in the settlement movement.
Life on the isolated hilltop requires significant adjustments. The children attend educational institutions in nearby settlements, necessitating daily commutes driven by their parents. The family manages without government support, relying on a solar system for electricity and a water pipe from a neighboring settlement. Eitan emphasizes that they operate entirely on their own resources.
Shvut Zion, the 16-year-old eldest daughter, describes the experience as both enjoyable and challenging. She notes the lack of independence, requiring her parents for transportation to see friends or work, and the distance to social gatherings. Despite these difficulties, she feels a sense of purpose and enjoys the profound quiet and the opportunity to graze sheep, which is a significant part of their routine. The family owns about 50 sheep, with grazing areas adapted to the children's ages and experience.
The family believes their presence on the hilltop contributes to security along the nearby Route 60, a major north-south highway. Eitan claims that before their arrival, the area experienced frequent attacks, but since they settled, there have been no security incidents. They are also expanding their agricultural activities, with an olive grove and a newly planted pomegranate orchard, aiming for diverse cultivation.
Their long-term goal is to expand Shdei Yonatan into a larger agricultural settlement, attracting more residents. If successful, it could become a significant agricultural community located about a fifteen-minute drive from Jerusalem.