Veteran Surveyor Reveals How Early West Bank Settlements Were Legally Established

Yaakov Erlich from the settlement of Ofra shared insights into the legal and practical efforts behind establishing many settlements in Judea and Samaria. His account is part of the Heritage Ministry and Israel Heritage Sites Council's project "Documenting the Veterans and Founders of the Settlement," which aims to preserve the stories of early settlers across regions including the Jordan Valley, Judea, Samaria, Benjamin, the Golan Heights, and the Galilee.

Erlich worked closely with the late Plia Albak, head of the Civil Department in the State Attorney's Office, who was responsible for marking state land boundaries in the West Bank. Despite not being politically right-wing, Albak was described as a dedicated and honest civil servant who ensured that private lands were cleared lawfully and found alternative locations for settlements when necessary. Erlich recounted how Albak personally verified the seriousness of settlers, citing an incident in the early days of the Psagot settlement where Albak saw him bringing a refrigerator to his brother’s new home and concluded the settlers intended to stay.

Erlich praised Albak’s integrity and thorough preparation, noting that in numerous court cases challenging land claims, the state consistently prevailed due to her meticulous work. He emphasized that a civil servant must set aside personal beliefs and uphold the truth. The interview with Erlich is part of a larger archive of hundreds of interviews documenting the founding chapters of Israeli settlements, preserving these narratives for future generations.