Imagine stepping back in time, right here at Beit El. This Israeli settlement and local council is located in the Binyamin Region of the West Bank. Beit El is more than just a modern town. It’s a place steeped in ancient history and religious significance.
Beit El was settled in 1977-78. The ultranationalist group Gush Emunim founded it. It sits in the hills north of Jerusalem. It’s east of the Palestinian city of al-Bireh. Ramallah is nearby too. Beit El achieved local council status in September 1997. Shai Alon is the head of the local council. In 2022, its population was 6,108.
Now I will tell you about the geography of Beit El. It has a higher elevation than Jerusalem. That means cool nights in summer. It also gets occasional snow in winter. The Pisgat Ya’akov neighborhood has a hilltop observatory. From there, you can see the surrounding hills. On clear days, you might even spot Tel Aviv and Mount Hermon.
Northeast of Beit El is the Ma’ayanot Qara Nature Reserve. This reserve has five natural springs. Limestone formations at the springs date back to the Cenomanian age. The reserve is home to unique plants. Hedera helix ivy grows here. It is not found anywhere else between Edom and Galilee. Teucrium montbretii also grows only near Ramallah.
Let’s delve into the history of Beit El. After the Six-Day War in 1967, the area came under Israeli occupation. Israel confiscated land from nearby Palestinian towns to build Beit El. This included land from Dura al-Qar, Al-Bireh, and Ein Yabrud.
In 1977, Beit El was established on this land. Seventeen families settled near the IDF base. The settlement included Beit El Aleph and Beit El Bet. Ya’akov Katz and Zalman Baruch Melamed founded Beit El Bet. Public buildings and civilian homes were built on the land. The government initially declared the land requisition temporary. However, the Israeli High Court approved the settlement for security reasons in 1978.
In 1997, Beit El A and Beit El B became a single settlement again. Court cases have arisen over land ownership. In July 2015, the IDF demolished buildings built illegally on Palestinian land. This demolition was linked to the Duma arson killings.
Beit El consists of several neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are connected by illegal construction. Only Maoz Zur was built on land classified as state land. A secret database revealed that Beit El was largely built on private Palestinian lands.
Ulpana is another neighborhood in Beit El. It was established in 1999. Apartment buildings were constructed here in 2003. All structures in Ulpana were built on private Palestinian land.
Beit El has a diverse population. Many immigrants come from countries like India, Peru, Ethiopia, and Russia. It is also home to Bnei Menashe from Manipur and Mizoram. Most inhabitants are affiliated with the Religious Zionist Movement.
Beit El yeshiva owns Arutz Sheva. The town has a tefillin factory, a winery, and other businesses. In August 2022, Israeli singer Aviv Geffen performed a concert in Beit El. Beit El connects us to ancient narratives. It reminds us of the enduring connection between people and their faith.