On this tour we got acquainted with the history of the Atarot and Neve Yaakov settlements. These agricultural settlements were founded in the early 20th century and existed for many years despite the tough conditions: a bus to Jerusalem only twice a day, dangerous roads, attacks by the Arabs. During the War of Independence they were entrapped by the enemy. After the fall of Gush Etsion, it became evident that it was impossible to defend the Atarot and Neve Yaakov settlements. Under the cover of darkness, the inhabitants were evacuated, everything that could be destroyed was destroyed and what remained was destroyed by the Arabs. The Jewish presence in that region was interrupted for 19 years. After the Six-day War, two new city districts, Pisgat Zeev and Neve Yaakov, were founded. But before the new districts were built, the Jews had returned to the old Neve Yaakov and settled in the house which is now situated in the Arab district of Beit Hanina. That was one of the settlers’ first actions on the territory liberated during the Six-day War.

Here we are on a trip to the legendary Beit ha Shiva, the House of the Seven, which got its name from the seven families who moved into the house in 1969.