| HISTORY OF THE ETZION BLOCK |
Before the war of independence the Etzion block was the site to three kibbutzim. (see map 1) They were barely capable of sustaining there own needs, and they lived in inhospitable environments. These kibbutzim were settled mostly for ideological, socio-religious and economic reasons. during the was of independence, the Etzion block played an important role in defending Jerusalem. All the children and most of the women were evacuated from the settlements. Kefar Etzion was under siege and 220 settlers died, this area was surrendered. the Jewish settlements in the Etzion block came to an end with the birth of the state of Israel.
This area lay desolate for 19 years. The children of Kefar Etzion only dreamed of the day to re inhabit their birthplace and rebuild what their fathers had left behind. they could only see this place from a distance.
After the Six Day War the settlers got permission to rebuild Kefar Etzion with its original plans as a kibbutz. This became the first Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria.
Religious Zionism bodies worked together to produce seven new settlements in this historical location (see map 2). First with Kefar Etzion and then Rosh Tzurim, Alon Shvut, a cooperative moshav Elazar, Migdal Oz, Neve Daniel, the city of Efrat (today a major service center), and the seventh Bat-Ayin, the latest and the one that is the least developed.
By 1995, the Etzion block was populated by 9,000 people. It is 15 km away from the capital, and new roads were created to service the area today. The population is mostly religious-zionist inhabitants. the Etzion block is best known today for the many educational institutions from where great knowledge emerges.
Here are some links for more information on the Gush Etzion area.