Religion, Nationalism, and Terror

Daniel Ben Simon, The return of the settlers, Haaretz, October 2, 2007

I have seen them at Homesh and on other hills, and there seems to be a new breed of fanaticism capable of deeds the previous generation of settlers regarded with awe and fear. Among the thousands of new fanatical youngsters there is no sense of national propriety or fear of the state’s authority.

I have seen them cursing security personnel and spitting at them and flinging racist epithets at Druze and immigrants from Russia and Ethiopia. They did this without the slightest hesitation or fear. This is the generation that follows the generation that achieved the revolution of faith in the territories after the Six-Day War. That same messianic faith that has changed the face of the country, never mind the face of the Middle East, for many years. The latest wildcat settlement attempts - even though they look like youthful actions - are a real challenge to the decision makers, a warning lest they dare follow in the despicable footsteps of their predecessors. The attempts are also aimed at making it clear that what happened in Gush Katif will not happen again.

The big mystery remains the settlers’ Yesha Council. Will it line up with the extremist voices? Will it try to moderate and lower the flames as it did at Kfar Maimon, for which it has paid a high price? After all, these young people have rebelled against its authority and have accused it of collaborating with a government that uproots settlements.

The international meeting in November, where Israel will play a crucial role, will apparently determine whether the Yesha Council will be swept up by the romantic vision of redemption in the style of settler activist Daniella Weiss, or try to reach an understanding with the government.