Efrat

Efrat is an Israeli settlement in the Gush Etzion bloc south of Jerusalem, home to approximately 12,000 predominantly Modern Orthodox residents. Unlike ultra-Orthodox settlements, Efrat maintains higher workforce participation, with many residents commuting to professional jobs in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv while maintaining religious observance. The settlement occupies strategic high ground that Israeli planners consider essential to Jerusalem's security perimeter—a path-dependent constraint on any territorial negotiations. Founded in 1983, Efrat has developed as a suburban community with schools, commercial centers, and light industry serving the Gush Etzion cluster. The 2024 West Bank economic crisis devastated Palestinian neighbors while settlements maintained relative stability through integration with Israel's economy, though security incidents and road closures increased costs. International law classifies all West Bank settlements as illegal, creating investment uncertainty despite Israeli government infrastructure spending. Tourism to nearby Bethlehem (8km) collapsed 84% in 2024, eliminating potential economic spillovers. By 2026, Efrat's development depends on settlement bloc annexation proposals and whether security conditions permit the commuter lifestyle that defines its economy.