Two unexpected guests arrived at our protest in Efrat, and in them I saw the victory of Hamas that we’re not talking about enough.
The protest marked the first time ever that residents of Efrat and Gush Etzion were gathering to clearly, unequivocally speak out against Kochav Yehuda, an illegal outpost east of Efrat that the army has dismantled 65 (!!) times, whose “residents” commit violent attacks against Arabs in surrounding villages (and any Israelis who have the nerve to try to help protect them) on a regular basis.
The outpost, which sits on private land owned by a family from East Jerusalem, receives support, guidance and supplies from the nearby Eitam Hill, an authorized farm that is designated for future expansion of Efrat. For example, after each time it is demolished by the army, a pick-up truck can be seen descending from the Eitam with supplies for rebuilding.
Before the protest, a group of us sat down with the head of the city council and heard that he is absolutely opposed to the outpost, and that he sees it first and foremost as a moral issue, which does not contribute to the security of Efrat’s residents, but actually detracts from it, as it forces the army to constantly react to their violent antics, as opposed to doing their work.
