The former residents of Beit El’s Ulpana neighborhood were ousted from their homes months ago, beginning in Tammuz 5772. Less than a half year after being compelled to leave their homes the families are not doing well, some actually falling apart and in need of professional services from social workers and others.

According to a Maariv report, many of the children are diagnosed as suffering from a post traumatic syndrome, and once happy children are now exhibiting many problems as a result of being thrown out of their homes and community. Some of the adults no longer work, and life as they once knew it is nothing more than a distant memory.

In response to mounting requests, the government’s Welfare Ministry has allocated additional funding to send more professionals to the community in the hope of addressing the situation.

For a period of time the families were a daily news item as the legal battle to prevent their eviction was taking place. Then, suddenly, they were instructed to leave, which they did, and they have since been forgotten, similar to the thousands of refugees from N. Shomron and Gaza communities, ousted from their homes in 2005. In this case the families are struggling to rebuild their lives after being betrayed by the very government they supported.

Over a quarter of the families (15) are under constant supervision from state social workers. Many children are suffering from forms of anxiety and they are receiving appropriate assistance. Some unfortunately have been prescribed pharmaceuticals to assist in stabilizing their deteriorating psychological situation.

Ms. Chedva Ariel, who heads the Beit El Social Work Unit, has turned to Jerusalem District officials for reinforcements, simply unable to maintain the workload as the families in need of intensive therapy. Yoram Azoulay, who heads the Jerusalem District, visited Beit El for a firsthand look at the situation. He met and spoke with some of the families and decided there is a need for additional manpower.

One resident is quoted as saying “We simply don’t get it. We felt that the prime minister supported us and stood firmly behind us. Then suddenly, without warning everything fell apart and now, we watch as the homes are being destroyed before our very eyes.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)