Israeli Farms in West Bank Echo Pioneer Spirit Amid Security Concerns
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
New farms are being established in the West Bank, drawing inspiration from early Zionist pioneers and framed as a response to Palestinian statehood plans. The author connects this to historical figures like Yitzhak Tabenkin, who promoted settlement for security. A personal story highlights the fear and mission involved for young couples, with one couple deciding to establish a farm despite significant security risks and anxieties following the October 7th attacks.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- New farms in the West Bank are presented as a modern form of pioneering, echoing historical Zionist settlement efforts.
- The establishment of these farms is seen as a countermeasure to the Palestinian 'Fayyad Plan' for statehood.
- Yitzhak Tabenkin, a historical Kibbutz leader, advocated for settling Judea and Samaria for security reasons.
- The decision to establish a farm involves significant personal risk and fear, especially after the October 7th attacks.
- Proponents believe settling the land is crucial for protecting Jewish lives and security in the region.
- The initiative is framed as a continuation of Israeli heritage and a mission for the current generation.
The article reflects on the spirit of pioneering and settlement in Israel, drawing parallels between historical Zionist endeavors and the establishment of new farms in the West Bank. The author, recalling her childhood feelings of having missed out on formative national experiences, connects these to the current wave of farm-building. She references Yitzhak Tabenkin, a key figure in the Kibbutz Movement, who advocated for settling all of the Land of Israel for security and ideological reasons, stating in 1944 that avoiding Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria was cowardice.
The establishment of these farms is presented as a response to the Palestinian strategy known as "Fayyad Plan," which aimed to create a Palestinian state through unilateral declarations and territorial contiguity in Area C, under full Israeli control according to the Oslo Accords. The author notes that despite legal establishment and IDF support for many of these outposts, illegal Palestinian construction has expanded significantly over two decades. The core motivation for these farms, she argues, is the belief that physical presence on the land protects Jewish lives and security.
The narrative then shifts to a personal account of a young couple, Yoeli and his wife, who are considering establishing a farm. The wife expresses deep-seated fear, amplified by the October 7th attacks, of the inherent dangers of living in the West Bank, recalling past anxieties during car rides and the constant threat of terrorism. Yoeli, however, emphasizes the necessity of settling the land to ensure future security, framing it as the "true pioneering" of their generation and a continuation of their heritage, despite the risks.
Yoeli outlines practical plans for the farm, including security arrangements with the IDF, a night watch schedule with friends, a daycare for their son Ram, and proximity to a nearby settlement. He argues that without expanding beyond existing settlements, they cannot adequately protect their children. The author concludes by suggesting that this new generation, like Abraham and the early pioneers, is writing another chapter in the story of the land, acknowledging both the danger and the sense of mission involved.
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