Page 10 - C.A.L.L. #28 - Spring 2007

A Summer We Would Like to Forget

The Kibbutz Movement Under Attack

Ostrich-like, we could have omitted this item and most of
you, our dear readers, would have been very happy to see no
mention in CALL of that dirty word "war". Unfortunately, the
kibbutz movement is part and parcel of the one country in
the world which is regularly threatened to be destroyed and
is often under attack. 50 years ago, my son and his pals didn't
have any toy guns – not through a formal kibbutz decision,
but because of the pacifist ideals we all share/d. Now, my son
is too old to be called up for reserve duty, but his son is into
the second of his 3-years compulsory military service.

I am not defending the way the war in Lebanon was conducted, but must point out that it began
with a murderous attack on a routine Israeli patrol inside this country's border with Lebanon and
the kidnapping of 2 of our soldiers. For over a month, the northern third of Israel, with its 65
kibbutzim, was under daily fire of katyusha rockets (with their metal pellets) and 25 of them were
actually damaged. The weaker population (mainly children) were evacuated from most of the
kibbutzim and absorbed by those beyond the firing line. Altogether, some 15,000 souls were
rapidly and willingly made welcome, with some kibbutzim taking hundreds of "evacuees" into
their homes. Apparently - despite all the privatization processes in the Kibbutz Movement -
"solidarity", "mutual responsibility" and "partnership" are not just empty slogans. On the other
hand, many of the older members of the besieged kibbutzim – in their 70's and 80's – refused to be
evacuated and worked in the orchards and factories whenever it was safe to do so. At the same
time, practical means - including a stream of volunteers - were instigated by the Movement to help
these kibbutzim carry on.

Not only kibbutzniks were catered for. Many
inhabitants of the northern towns were absorbed
into safe kibbutzim, while the Kibbutz Movement
found ways and the personnel to donate and
distribute - directly to the shelters and private homes
- food (and products of kibbutz factories) to the
weaker populations who stayed put. For the young
among them, regular activities were organized, as
were holiday trips and camps in the safe parts of the
country. The urban communes in the development
towns and the kibbutz-associated youth movements
in general played a vital part in this massive
operation. All these efforts were highly praised by the
media and governmental & local bodies – not always
sympathetic towards the kibbutzim in the past.

No less important was the fact that, after the war, the lessons learned the hard way were analyzed
and documented by the Kibbutz Movement, so as to facilitate future such actions, if and when the
need should arise again. Ways and means are being sought to continue in peace times the ties
forged under fire with the various sectors of the population.

Despite all the above positive "achievements", this was a summer we would like to forget.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to do so. I am fully aware that the loss of any one life on either
side is a tragedy, but - imperfect being as I am - I mourn more for those closest to me. 18 of our
kibbutz sons were killed in this short summer war.

Sol Etzioni, Kibbutz Tzora

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