Posted on 06/13/2014 8:04:37 AM PDT by Former Fetus
Hitch hiking is highly commonplace means of transportation in Judah and Samaria. I’ve seen even ten year olds hitching short distances. I often do it mysel.
A few things happened in this case: first that they hitch hiked at night; second, I think they decided to foot it from Kfar Etzion to Old Gate of Alon Shevut at night when nobody picked them up, thinking the old gate was a better prospect for getting a ride (short distance, like I said); third, they were laying for them with a whole gang. These were three boys, ages 16, 16 and 19. Usually, their adolescent size, while hardly full, but combined with their numbers, would have deterred any assault. But this was planned in advance, and they had the manpower to pull it off.
Hitch hiking is usually done at designated points, commonly bus stops, where there are enough people around to help against any attack. At the really big junctions, like Tzomet Gush Etzion, there is always a strong military presence. I think it is time that they posted a few teams of IDF at Old Gate and Kfar Etzion junctions, too, at least until the latest fun and games slack off.
Funny, I would never allow a child of mine to take his chances just to prove who owns the land. BUT if it were me... If I was young enough and managed to move to Judea or Samaria, I think I would hitchhike everywhere.
But maybe not at night!
I never thought of it as asserting any political statement. Jews do it. Arabs do it. We both know how to distinguish the one from the other. Just as it would be difficult for a Jew to pass as an Arab, it is also difficult for Arabs to pass as Jews, so kidnappings and assaults are a rarity. Body language, accent, cultural background are almost always a dead giveaway. Also, despite all the hoopla, most Arabs have lives, families to support, bills to pay, and are not out looking for trouble, even if they do celebrate obscenely with the rest of their fellow death cultists whenever children are murdered.
BTW, did you see the video of Eyal's brother praying. Very touching, but my Hebrew is so weak... What was he praying? Where can I get the words in both English and (transliterated) Hebrew so I can pray along?
One more question. I thought the proper way to pray would be using the Hebrew names, for example Eyal ben _____, but the mothers names are not given. Was I wrong?
They were reciting Psalm 121 responsively. No names mentioned in the video, but probably recited quitely beforehand. Don’t know where you can find transliteration, except in Chabad English Language/Hebrew bilingual prayer book published by Kehot, available on-line at Chabad.org. No guarantees that it will have that Psalm transliterated, though.
Thanks. I should have thought about it, since the Rabbinate had asked people to recite Psalm 121 when praying for the boys. Thanks again.
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