Kfar Etzion
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| Kfar Etzion | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1927 |
| Founded by | Yemenite immigrants |
| Region | Judea |
| Industries | Agriculture |
| Affiliation | Bnei Akiva |
| Website | http://www.kfar-etzion.co.il |
Kfar Etzion (Hebrew: כפר עציון) is an Israeli kibbutz located in the Judean Hills between Jerusalem and Hebron. Originally settled as Migdal Eder (מגדל עדר) in 1927 by Yemenite immigrants, it was abandoned in 1929 as a result of the 1929 Palestine riots. It was resettled in 1934, but had to be abandoned again in 1939 during 1936-1939 Arab revolt in Palestine. In 1943 Kfar Etzion was settled for the third time, and three kibbutzim were started nearby, Massuot Yitzchak October 1945, Ein Tzurim a year later and Revadim in February 1947. Together, they formed the Etzion Bloc.
Far outside the boundaries of the proposed Jewish State under the 1947 UN Partition Plan, the settlers had the choice of evacuating their four settlements or living subject to a Arab sovereignty. The chose to hold their ground and were subsequently attacked by Arab forces.
The settlements held off the attacks for 10 days until Kfar Etzion fell and was subject to a massacre on May 14th, in which all but 4 of the defenders were summarily executed by Arab Legion and irregular forces. The other three settlements surrendered and their members were taken prisoners of war and released 9 months later.
After the 1967 Six-Day War, previous residents of Kfar Etzion moved back and built new houses in the former community. Today Kfar Etzion houses a museum which documents the history of Gush Etzion.
Kfar Etzion and the Etzion Bloc have has become a symbol in Israel for the ongoing conflict between Israel and hostile Arab neighbors.
Today Kfar Etzion is a thriving kibbutz and community of over 400 residents. While many of the residents work in Jerusalem and surrounding areas the Kibbutz is financially sound with most of its revenue earned from agriculture, tourism and hi-tech resources.The kibbutz houses a museum and archives which documents the history of Gush Etzion as well as a sound and light show which presents an audio visual presentation of its history past and present.
[edit] External link
| Gush Etzion Regional Council | |||||||
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