New West Bank Outpost Established in Memory of Fallen Israeli Pioneer
Givat Tidhar, a new hilltop outpost in the West Bank, was established in a hostile area by grieving family members and activists to secure strategic land.
A new Jewish outpost in the West Bank, Givat Tidhar, has been established in a hostile area near the Palestinian villages of Shuqba and Shabatin, west of Ramallah. Founded two months ago by Efraim and Jerusalem Gozlan alongside a group of young activists, the hilltop point honors Efraim's late brother, Tidhar Gozlan, who died in a tractor accident.
Strategic Location and Logistical Challenges
Spanning some 2,000 dunams of strategic land near the settlement of Nili, the outpost lacks basic infrastructure such as cellular reception, electricity, and running water. The treacherous dirt road leading to the site requires a high-clearance vehicle, and visitors often find themselves navigating through thick dust clouds raised by nearby stone quarries.
"There isn't much water to wash dishes; we pump it from the well," Jerusalem Gozlan explained. "It's really hard, and the whole cleaning aspect requires a lot more effort, wet wipes, and various tricks."
Security Confrontations and Evacuations
Despite frequent enforcement operations by security forces—including multiple demolitions, confiscation orders, and closed military zone declarations—the settlers remain determined. Efraim noted that while civil authorities frequently dismantle their temporary structures, local IDF commanders on the ground are generally supportive of their presence.
The Border Police destroyed our house, but we built another one. I slept outside and it was fun, and then I slept in the car. I didn't see the Border Police, I woke up and saw them and went to the car.
Pioneering Spirit and Legacy
The founders emphasize that establishing the outpost in a contested area is intended to protect neighboring Jewish communities from unauthorized expansion. The site continues a wave of young pioneering initiatives across the West Bank, keeping alive the memory of Tidhar Gozlan through active settlement and land reclamation.
