Thousands of Israelis celebrated Independence Day by flocking to hilltop communities in Judea and Samaria for a day of song and solidarity with the next generation's pioneers.
At least 2,000 people held picnics, barbecues and hikes at the budding community of Migron, in the Binyamin Regional Council area, one of those threatened with destruction to make way for a Palestinian Authority state within Israel's current borders.
Residents of Judea and Samaria as well as activists from around the country gathered at the mountaintop site to express their support for Israeli sovereignty in the region.
Participants streamed to the hilltop under the banner of, “We stand up for what’s ours – Migron!” According to Ynet, the IDF and police officially permitted the event.
The celebration was part of a broader initiative that is being run by the Loyalists for the Land of Israel, Youth for the Land of Israel, Women in Green and Adamah Admati.(This Land is My Land)
Mevaseret Adumim (E-1)
By midday, hundreds of Israelis had also reached the Mevaseret Adumim (E-1) area, among them Maaleh Adumim Mayor Benny Kashriel. The mayor moved his office on Thursday to Mevaseret Adumim, located between Maaleh Adumim and Jerusalem, as a show of support for development in the area.
Kashriel and other officials have warned that the continuation of the freeze on construction in Mevaseret Adumim could cause permanent harm to Maaleh Adumim.
Those interested in visiting the site can call 050-766-8857 for more information.
Givat HaEitam
The main Land of Israel event took place in Givat HaEitam near the Judean city of Efrat in the Gush Etzion bloc, where activists planned to start construction on a new synagogue. Many said they planned to stay the night.
Picnics, music and children’s activities kept things lively on the stony hillsides as the sound of music, chatter and laughter and the scent of roasting meat wafted through the air.
Homesh
Activists were also reportedly allowed by the IDF to visit the ruins of the former northern Samarian town of Homesh which was destroyed as part of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s 2005 Disengagement from Gaza.
The visit, however, was initially only permitted within the confines of an organized group; one activist who arrived by foot at an army checkpoint was turned away. He allegedly attacked a soldier, was arrested and taken into custody by police.
By evening, more than 10,000 people had reached Homesh, with participants calling for its revival as well as the rebuilding of its former neighboring community, Sa-Nur as well.