West Bank settlements are Israel's forward position, and its first line of defense - opinion

Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria represent the vanguard of Zionism and the Jewish people's return to their ancestral land, serving as a vital shield against Palestinian terrorists and keeping them distant from Israel's core population centers. This perspective challenges the international condemnation of Jewish homes built beyond the Green Line, asserting that these communities are fundamental to Israel's survival and destiny.

The author draws an analogy from the film "A Few Good Men," where Colonel Nathan Jessup's declaration, "You can’t handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns," resonates with the reality faced by Israelis. Settlers on hilltops, even those whose actions may be controversial, create essential defensive layers. Without communities like Gush Etzion, life in Beit Shemesh would be far more precarious, and without the smaller outposts, Gush Etzion itself would be vulnerable.

While acknowledging and condemning settler violence as abhorrent and politically disastrous, the piece argues against easy judgment from afar. It highlights that those living in close proximity to hostile populations face daily friction unfamiliar to distant critics. The "hilltop youth," despite potentially questionable methods, are seen as standing guard so others can enjoy relative security. The article poses a challenge: if one believes in higher ideals, are they willing to take up arms and stand watch themselves, or will they demand perfection from those on the front lines while benefiting from the safety they provide?

Living in Judea and Samaria is portrayed not as a peaceful idyll but as a life requiring resolve, faith, and a willingness to confront hostility. The pioneering spirit that established Tel Aviv and the kibbutzim of the Galilee is seen as having moved eastward to these hills, echoing the Zionist ethos of development and resilience. The Torah's command to "possess the land and dwell in it" is presented as a guiding principle for these communities.

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You can’t handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns.