"Girls of the Hills".. An Israeli women's group promoting "soft" settlement in the West Bank.

The stories of settlement in the West Bank continue in renewed forms, with the emergence in recent years of the group 'Girls of the Hills', which presents settlement in a quiet manner, yet carries significant risks. This group, founded by extremist settlers, invites girls to leave education and civil life to live in tents and primitive dwellings, reflecting a new strategy of occupation aimed at seizing Palestinian land.

The 'Girls of the Hills' group was established as a female version of the 'Boys of the Hills' group, promoting settlement as a 'soft' option, even though the goal remains the control of Palestinian territories. These girls live in harsh conditions, relying on herding and mobility, which reflects a picture of sacrifice for what they call the 'promised land'.

The outposts 'Ma'oz Esther' and 'Or Hohavia' are among the most prominent examples illustrating the role of 'Girls of the Hills' in expanding settlement. The outpost 'Ma'oz Esther', established 17 years ago, has transformed into a fully integrated settlement inhabited by 17 families, reflecting the rapid expansion of these settlement projects.

In 2023, the 'Girls of the Hills' established a new outpost named 'Or Hohavia', where settlers aim to turn it into a large settlement. These activities come amid governmental and legal support seeking to legitimize settlement, reflecting the complicity of the occupation in implementing these projects.

The 'Girls of the Hills' use social media platforms to promote their projects, where they post videos and photos reflecting their achievements in expanding settlement outposts. This digital activity reflects a calculated strategy to attract more girls and families to settle in Palestinian territories.

Statements from the settlers reveal the settlement mentality that prevails among them, as they consider the West Bank to be just a small part of a larger project aimed at swallowing the entire region. This discourse reflects the Zionist ideology that seeks to expand control over the land.

The visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the settlement 'Ofra' comes in the context of entrenching settlement, where Palestinians condemned this visit and considered it a provocation. This governmental approach reflects the occupation's support for settlement as part of its strategy to impose control over Palestinian territories.

The occupation government seeks to provide legal cover for settlement outposts, as Israeli lawmakers propose bills aimed at legitimizing settlement, posing a direct challenge to international law. These laws aim to entrench settlement as an irreversible reality.

Despite attempts by the Israeli police to dismantle some settlement outposts, these operations are often described as mere 'agreed-upon theatrics'. The establishment of outposts and the funding of their infrastructure are supported, revealing organized complicity between the government and the police.

Testimonies from within the outposts 'Ma'oz Esther' and 'Or Hohavia' show how the 'Girls of the Hills' have become no longer just a marginal group, but have transformed into an integral arm of the occupation, combining artificial simplicity in the field with soft propaganda through digital platforms.