'Tis The Season...Olive-Picking Season...

5 of the Eighth Month 5768

Two nights ago, as reported by Nissan Ratzlav-Katz of Arutz 7, administrative restraining orders were issued for several Jews in Samaria, including Yitzhar resident and Mishmar HaMiqdash (Temple Guard) Neriah Ofan.

They are not allowed in Judea nor Samaria through the end of December, the duration of the "Masiq" (olive harvest). The "authorities" claim this action is to prevent any potential conflicts from occurring between Arabs picking olives and local Jewish residents. Apparently the thought never entered their heads to serve the Arabs, who do not have any valid documentation supporting claims to land and olive groves, with the restraining orders.

This year that includes Hanukkah. These men will not be allowed to spend Hanukkah with their families in their own homes, in their own communities.

One of those served with an administrative restraining order is my friend and neighbor, Yekutiel Ben-Ya'akov.

This time last year, Neriah Ofan (2nd row, 2nd from right), Honenu's Ariel Gruner (1st row, 1st on the right), my friend, Gil'ad Pollack (top, left corner) from Havath Ma'on who was newly married at the time, my neighbor Yehudah Goldberg (2nd row, middle), and at least 16 other Jews, residents of were summarily expelled from their homes in Judea and Samaria with the same lame reasoning.



Notice the physical appearance of these Jews: beards, large kippoth, and most with payoth (side locks). Outward appearance isn't everything, of course. But, taking pride by visibly differentiating ourselves from non-Jews has long been criticized and even discouraged by the secular, Euro-phile left and by the left-wing of the State-worshipping mamlakhtim, who live to harass those of their brethren who carry most of the remaining passion to possess and to work our homeland, recently returened to us. They do so in spite of the self-haters who would destory it.

19-year-old Elad Keller (bottom, right corner) from Havath Ma'on in Judea was also one of the expellees. One of the reasons he defied last year's order was a practical one. He did not have the money to pay rent in Jerusalem, the least inconvenient city where he could reside for the ordered two months expulsion. He requested that the government pay his rent. The government refused his request.

Gen. Ya'ir Naveh signed last year's expulsion orders,...a kippah-wearing general! He was later called before the re-instituted Sanhedrin to answer questions regarding his actions. Gen. Ya'ir Naveh never accepted the invitation to appear, apparently choosing the sanctity of the State over the sanctity of Torah.

This year's expulsion orders were signed by Gen. Gadi Shamni. Perhaps he will not have the same choice to face. Although, we have seen that the presence of a religious article such as a kippah has become not only ever shrinking is in size, but increasingly meaningless amongst the ranks and other prominent officials, as well.

Meanwhile, leftists continue to do whatever they want, without any limits, and without any shame, like harassing the residents of Havath Gilad, purchased from Arab claimants to the land, years ago, as if that matters to anyone.