Yom ha-Atzmaut 5771
Israel Independence Day 2011
MK Ze’ev Elkin at Netzer:
“There Is No Room on the Hills of Judea and Samaria for Two States.
It’s Either Us or Them”
Hundreds of people came from throughout Israel last night for the independence celebration at the Netzer hill, organized by Women for Israel’s Tomorrow (Women in Green) out of solidarity with those who are struggling there to rescue the state lands from a takeover by the Arabs.
To the cheers by those present, MK Ze’ev Elkin said:
“In the struggle for Gush Etzion in 1948, the Jews fought for a Jewish Jerusalem. In the present struggle for the hills of Judea and Samaria, and also for this hill [Netzer], the struggle is for the future of the Jewish state, no more and no less. For there is no room on these hills for two states. It’s either us or them. And so, each hills says ‘We are here’ – and if us, it’s us, and not them.”
The Israel Prize laureate former MK Geula Cohen recited the Shehekhiyanu (“… who has brought us to this time”) blessing for the Holy One, blessed be He, having enabled her to be part of the struggle for Eretz Israel, from before the establishment of the State of Israel to the present. And here, too, at Netzer, the struggle for Eretz Israel is taking place Cohen pointed out.
Rabbi Gideon Perl, the Gush Etzion regional rabbi, greeted those present. He related that in every generation there are pioneers who go before the camp, and this is how they act at Netzer, to save the lands.
The happening at Netzer began after the fireworks from all the communities of Gush Etzion had fallen silent. Dozens of cars filled the parking places at the foot of the Netzer hill- parking that had been prepared the preceding day for the convenience of the celebrants. The entire hill was illuminated by torches and spotlights. Looking from below, this seemed to be a settlement that had been established in a day. And indeed, within 24 hours the hill became a place brimming with life. Automobiles and jeeps unloaded equipment for the event: generators, chairs, a stage, a sound system, gravel to improve the paths. The place wore a festive appearance with the dozens of Israeli flags that blew in the wind of the Judean hills.
Guides directed people to the top of the hill. For those who had difficulty in climbing up, a jeep stood in readiness to shuttle them to the top.
Already on the way up, the smell of felafel filled the air, and when the celebrants reached the hill top, they could enjoy hot, fresh felafel that was prepared on the spot, hot coffee and cookies, and the Eretz Israel music of Udi Gefen and the Israelim band. The children enjoyed the balloons in all different shapes by Elazar Brandt.
When Geula Cohen arrived, she asked, amazed: “How did you manage to bring so many people up here?”
The dancing kept everyone physically warm, and the words by the speakers warmed people’s hearts, and kept alive the fire of the fighting spirit.
Yes, this was a breathtaking sight at Netzer on Yom ha-Atzmaut 5771. Hundreds of people, men, women, and children, took the hills of Netzer with their feet. On the way they saw the hundreds of trees that have been planted in the past two years by the members of Women in Green and the Netzer Group.
This was a moving evening at Netzer – an evening of growth, thanksgiving, and Eretz Israel.
The following day, Tuesday, Yom ha-Atzmaut, dozens of hikers and families filled the hills of Netzer in order to increase the Jewish presence and to enjoy this enchanting picnic site. Thank G-d, Netzer is on the map of awareness as a place that continues the pioneering spirit of the redemption of the lands of Eretz Israel.
Yom ha-Atzmaut sameah!
Happy Independence Day!
attached are pictures- please credit Women in Green if used
Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar
Women for Israel’s Tomorrow (Women in Green) and the Netzer Group
www.womeningreen.org
