Rabbi Beni Lau Warns Outpost Activity Threatens Gush Etzion Settlement
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Rabbi Beni Lau has warned that the "anarchistic" outpost of Gefen Ami in Gush Etzion could lead to the destruction of the entire settlement enterprise. His warning came after visiting the area and witnessing property damage and injuries, including a Palestinian father injured by a rock. The head of the Gush Etzion Council and IDF commanders reportedly stated the outpost was established without official coordination. The farm's manager denied responsibility for the violence, but Rabbi Lau accused him of endangering the broader settlement project.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Beni Lau warned that the Gefen Ami outpost could cause the destruction of the Gush Etzion settlement.
- Rabbi Lau witnessed property damage and injuries during a visit to the area near Beit Ummar.
- The head of the Gush Etzion Council stated the outpost was established without coordination.
- Senior IDF commanders reportedly shared a similar assessment regarding the outpost's establishment.
- The manager of Gefen Ami denied his residents were involved in the violence.
- Rabbi Lau accused the outpost's management of endangering the entire settlement enterprise.
Rabbi Beni Lau has issued a stark warning regarding the settlement outpost of Gefen Ami in the Gush Etzion region, stating that its "anarchistic points" could lead to the "destruction" of the entire settlement enterprise.
Rabbi Lau's comments followed a visit to the area, including the Gefen Ami farm and the Palestinian village of Beit Ummar, between Hebron and Gush Etzion, prompted by reports of damage to property and individuals. He described witnessing a tomato greenhouse that had been burned, two cars set ablaze, and a bedroom window damaged by gunfire. During his visit, he met a young father from Beit Ummar who was injured by a thrown rock, allegedly by a youth from the outpost.
Rabbi Lau stated that he spoke with the Head of the Gush Etzion Council, Yaron Rosenthal, who claimed the outpost was established without coordination with the council, the Amana movement, or the IDF. Senior IDF commanders reportedly conveyed a similar assessment to Rabbi Lau.
At the Gefen Ami farm, Rabbi Lau met with its manager, Yair Ben-Baruch, who, along with his wife Ayala, explained that the farm was established with the assistance of the Nahala movement and other entities not affiliated with established settlement institutions. Ben-Baruch asserted that 14 young couples with children reside there and that past groups of youths are no longer present. He also claimed the violent incidents in Beit Ummar were unrelated to the farm's residents.
Rabbi Lau confronted Ben-Baruch, questioning his knowledge of the youths involved in the violence and stating, "You understand why the whole world sees you as the source of the problem." He further warned, "You are trying to build a place here called Gefen Ami, but under your hand a worm is crawling that eats and pollutes the entire vine. Do you understand that you are sabotaging all of the settlement in Judea and Samaria?"
Rabbi Lau also referenced a prior meeting with Rabbi Uzi Sharabf, the spiritual leader of the Nahala movement, who had reportedly promised that the movement's activities would not harm innocent people or their property. Rabbi Lau noted that Sharabf did not respond to his invitation to visit the farm. Rabbi Lau concluded by affirming the moral justification of settlement in Gush Etzion but reiterated his concern that certain elements endanger the entire endeavor.