Gush Etzion, Israel

Living in Gush Etzion is a complex proposition - the area is home to 70,000 Israeli settlers, clustered in 22 communities across the Judean Mountains. While the original agricultural kibbutzim were destroyed in the 1948 war, the region was resettled after the Six-Day War in 1967, driven by a symbolic, ideological desire to reclaim the land. However, the international community considers these settlements illegal under international law, and the area has been the site of frequent attacks on Israeli citizens. Bureaucratic headaches around land ownership and security concerns are persistent issues for residents. Overall, Gush Etzion may appeal to those driven by a strong nationalist sentiment, but the practical realities make it a challenging place to call home.