When it comes to self-sacrifice and mutual aid, Israel's kibbutzim assume a leadership role Only 2 percent of Israelis live on kibbutzim, but their contribution to Israel's war effort has been disproportionate, according to an article in Ha'aretz on Wednesday. Seven soldiers, more than 13 percent of the casualties, are from these communal villages, and kibbutzim have also led the way in providing hospitality to combat soldiers and displaced civilians during Israel's Operation Protective Edge. Kibbutzim have spearheaded many mutual aid efforts during the war. (PIC-KIBBUTZ KETURA)
Kibbutzim, which epitomized the pioneering spirit of the country's founders, are also on the front lines, because most of them are located along the country's borders. Kibbutzim along the border with Gaza have been infiltrated by terrorists emerging from tunnels three times since the beginning of Operation Protective Edge. During the 1980's, many kibbutzim came close to bankruptcy, forcing many of them to privatize. Critics said that the old ideology was dead, but, argues Judy Maltz in Ha'aretz. this was due to economic necessity more than ideology. (PIC.-KIBBUTZ EIN GEDI)
Today there are 274 kibbutzim in Israel. Seventeen are religious kibbutzim, 60 are old-school socialist kibbutzim and the rest are privatized, less collectivist, but still highly communal. In recent years there has been a rise in kibbutz membership, stemming from the desire of young people for a sense of community and a life in the countryside. Kibbutzim tend to align themselves with the Meretz and Labor parties. Almost all of them support this war, however, Alon Pauker, a historian of the kibbutz movement, told Ha'aretz. “Almost all the members of the kibbutzim believe that this is not a war of choice because they see themselves under an existential threat today.” (PIC.-KIBBUTZ LAVI)
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