Page 124 - big friday
P. 124
representative has "finished
his work day" and has
returned to his office, after
receiving the Legion's
promise that the wounded
and the women would be
transferred to Jerusalem.
Abrasha immediately contacts
Jerusalem and asks whether
to rely on the officer's words;
the response is, "Yes!"
Two small buses stop
next to the hospital, and we
begin loading the wounded. Meanwhile, the girls climb aboard a third bus with the Torah
scrolls, and once everything is ready for the journey the boys leave their posts and also
get into the vehicles. The weapons are handed over to the Legion officers (except for a
Spandau [MG 34] machine-gun, which was destroyed). Then the final telegram is sent
from Massuot to Jerusalem: "The women and men are being sent on the Hebron road.
Wounded to Bethlehem. Thus ends the story of Gush Etzion."
Thick darkness covers the Gush when the convoy starts its journey out of Massuot
and onto the dirt road. Eyes try to absorb a last view of the empty kibbutz. In one house
there flickers a weak light that was not switched off, and soldiers of the Arab Legion are
walking about among the houses. It is good that we are spared the sight of the plundering
and destruction.
The convoy continues on its journey. Here is the airport, which was established with
such great effort. On the right, the ruins of Kfar Etzion are visible. The great tree casts
a black shadow from the side. Here is the dark monastery, a lifeless lump. Everything
remains behind, while we drive up the main road. Goodbye to you, Gush Etzion! Will we
see you again?
A vraham Trainin and Uriel Ofek, Ma'oz Etzion – Lohamim BaTayil, Ma'arakhot, 5709.
122 The Friday That Changed Destiny
his work day" and has
returned to his office, after
receiving the Legion's
promise that the wounded
and the women would be
transferred to Jerusalem.
Abrasha immediately contacts
Jerusalem and asks whether
to rely on the officer's words;
the response is, "Yes!"
Two small buses stop
next to the hospital, and we
begin loading the wounded. Meanwhile, the girls climb aboard a third bus with the Torah
scrolls, and once everything is ready for the journey the boys leave their posts and also
get into the vehicles. The weapons are handed over to the Legion officers (except for a
Spandau [MG 34] machine-gun, which was destroyed). Then the final telegram is sent
from Massuot to Jerusalem: "The women and men are being sent on the Hebron road.
Wounded to Bethlehem. Thus ends the story of Gush Etzion."
Thick darkness covers the Gush when the convoy starts its journey out of Massuot
and onto the dirt road. Eyes try to absorb a last view of the empty kibbutz. In one house
there flickers a weak light that was not switched off, and soldiers of the Arab Legion are
walking about among the houses. It is good that we are spared the sight of the plundering
and destruction.
The convoy continues on its journey. Here is the airport, which was established with
such great effort. On the right, the ruins of Kfar Etzion are visible. The great tree casts
a black shadow from the side. Here is the dark monastery, a lifeless lump. Everything
remains behind, while we drive up the main road. Goodbye to you, Gush Etzion! Will we
see you again?
A vraham Trainin and Uriel Ofek, Ma'oz Etzion – Lohamim BaTayil, Ma'arakhot, 5709.
122 The Friday That Changed Destiny
