In 1967 Egypt’s army threatened Israel, and the international community did not respond. Israel panicked, fearing that without international support a Pan-Arab invasion would destroy the young state, so Israel launched a preemptive strike. Israel’s strike was so successful that it won the war within six days and conquered the Sinai desert, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights, tripling its size and becoming a respected military superpower. In 1973 during Yom Kippur, the holiest Jewish holiday, the Egyptian army crossed the Suez Canal and launched a surprise attack against Israel. Israel defeated Egypt, but not before losing ground and lives in costly battles. This near defeat shook Israel’s self-confidence and reduced the nation’s perceived status as a military superpower among its neighbors in the Middle East. These two events—the resounding victory in 1967 and the near defeat in 1973—provide context to help understand Israel’s occupying settlements in Palestine.

Ofra was the first settlement of the Israeli Gush Emunim settlers’ movement. The movement was not sanctioned by the Israeli government. Its members were determined to settle Judea and Samaria for “Greater Israel.