Free Republic

Amichai Jackson, a bar mitzvah boy from the Gush Etzion community of Elazar, decided that in place of a party to celebrate his milestone event – his parents should use the money earmarked for the occasion and treat IDF soldiers to dinner. Amichai was slated to celebrate his bar mitzvah a month after the breakout of Operation Swords of Iron. He was called to the Torah but decided to push off his party to quieter times. His mother Ilana said "After deliberating, Amichai decided to do something meaningful for the soldiers. Instead of having a party with family members and...

Four-and-a-half years after the destruction of 15 homes in Elazar's Netiv Ha'avot neighborhood, this morning (Wednesday) the Civil Administration's Higher Planning Committee greenlighted 433 housing units in the neighborhood. In addition, over 1,000 units were approved throughout Gush Etzion, while the eastern Gush community of Pnei Kedem was officially registered within the Israel Land Registry (Tabu). Back in 2018, Israel's Suprme Court ordered the demolition of 15 Netiv Ha'avot homes, which was carried out in June of that year. The court ordered the entire houses destroyed despite the fact that only a tiny part of the buildings, about two percent,...

Israeli security forces began the destruction of Jewish homes the Netiv Ha'avot neighborhood of Elazar in Samaria, an IDF source reported. Security forces are working to complete the demolition while ensuring security, law, and order. According to the IDF, the demolitions are being done "as per the request of the political echelon." Gush Etzion Regional Council Head Shlomo Ne'eman said, "It's very said that we have reached this moment. We've lost control and we've lost sovereignty. People tell us that this is 'the rule of law' but really, i's a loss of control and the destruction of law. Not only...

Embedded Video, no You Tube link Over a thousand people from all over Israel participated on Saturday night in an event supporting the residents of Elazar's Netiv Ha'avot neighborhood. Participants called on the Israeli government to legalize the neighborhood and prevent the upcoming expulsions and destruction. Gush Etzion Regional Council Head Shlomo Neeman said, "The best of our youth has come to support Netiv Ha'avot. Hundreds of youth have come to dance and eat a melaveh malka (Saturday night meal) organized by Ofra's youth. Come support us!" A spokesperson from Netiv Ha'avot Headquarters said, "Our struggle continues, and approximately a...