Asa Bartov, Moshav Herut, 2004
The main road leading up to the moshav_a paved road lined with rows of casuarina trees and planted orchards on either side_may have existed only in the vivid imaginations of the first settlers who arrived on the land of Herut in 1930.
With little money and tremendous difficulties, they purchased land from local Arab owners_one dunam here, another there_and began cultivating the soil, planting trees, and building modest shacks for their families and livestock. The nearest settlement where they could buy construction materials and animal feed was the town of Kfar Saba. Barrels of cement, iron rods, and other supplies were hauled by cart from the train station in Qalqilya_a long, exhausting journey in summer, and a treacherous one in winter.
The road to Tel Mond was a dirt path crossing land owned by an Arab from the village of Tira named Yosef Jarbi. When in good spirits, Jarbi allowed the settlers to pass through, but during times of tension and conflict between Jews and Arabs, he would stretch a fence across the path and block their access. For the residents of the moshav, this was a critical route_connecting them to the developing community of Tel Mond, to the regional school, and to the main road that was being paved. It was their lifeline to the outside world. The eastern road, leading to Tira and Qalqilya, had become life-threatening and Jews ceased using it.
All attempts to purchase this disputed piece of land_even at an exorbitant price_were in vain. Jarbi may have been willing to sell, but he feared his neighbors, who threatened to kill him if he sold his land to Jews.
These were the days of the 1936–1939 Arab Revolt (what would now be called an Intifada). Gunfire echoed along the roads, Jewish property was burned and sabotaged, and the residents of the moshav toiled during the day and stood guard at night. They were assisted by young volunteers who helped shoulder the burden of nighttime watch, daytime protection of workers in the orchards, and safeguarding children on their way to school.
The summer vacation of 1938 ended, and the children of the moshav returned to school in Tel Mond. One of the volunteers, Ezra Goldberg, had just finished his night shift and made a routine inspection of the dirt road to Tel Mond before the children were to pass through. He spotted suspicious signs, halted the convoy, and stopped the vehicle transporting the children. Digging into the earth, he discovered a powerful landmine buried in the path. British Army engineers were called to the site and detonated the mine. The massive crater left behind stood as silent testimony to the disaster that had been averted.
In a letter of gratitude to Goldberg, it was written:
“Dear comrade, receive our heartfelt thanks for the help you gave us_your actions will never be forgotten by the people of Herut.”
Within days, all the residents of the local moshavim organized a campaign to pave a road connecting Herut to Tel Mond. As was customary at the time, roads were built by hand_stone by stone, with hammers and hoes. But Jarbi of Tira did not remain silent. He summoned the British police, and blows were exchanged. Nevertheless, the road was built.
The matter reached the courts, then located in the district capital of Tulkarem. After many deliberations, a substantial sum_well above the land’s actual value_was paid to the landowner.
Today, as we travel along this pleasant, shaded road and take its convenience for granted, we must remember those who paved the way for us and ensured we could walk it in safety.