The National Council for Planning and Construction says it views favorably a proposal to construct 350 housing units at Mishmar David, Israel\'s first kibbutz (commune) to officially request a change of status to that of communal settlement. The council is preparing a special seminar to discuss the ramifications of what may become a trend: kibbutzim and collective villages (moshavim) re-zoning themselves into urban or regional settlements.
Early pioneers who came to the barren hills of Israel at the turn of the 20th century established communal farms in which all members worked for the collective, with all property collectively owned. Children lived and were raised in “Children’s Houses,” not in their parents’ homes. The \"Israeli Kibbutz\" was home to some of Israel\'s finest generals and leaders, but for a decade and more the movement has been facing insurmountable financial problems and a social-ideological crisis. The banks turned to the courts to confiscate assets from some of these communities. In places like Mishmar David, veteran members turned their backs on a life\'s work and moved to cities. Many kibbutzim, located in what have become prime real estate areas, are selling off portions of land to investors looking to build conventional urban and suburban housing. East of Ashdod, Mishmar David is reaching the end of a long process: the chaverim (members) have opted to officially abandon the classic communal life-style and turn themselves into a contemporary settlement. Kibbutz leader Moti Segev told Arutz Sheva today that even the kibbutz elders are happy about the move: it promises a brighter future, and will hopefully save the area from rapid decline.
Early pioneers who came to the barren hills of Israel at the turn of the 20th century established communal farms in which all members worked for the collective, with all property collectively owned. Children lived and were raised in “Children’s Houses,” not in their parents’ homes. The \"Israeli Kibbutz\" was home to some of Israel\'s finest generals and leaders, but for a decade and more the movement has been facing insurmountable financial problems and a social-ideological crisis. The banks turned to the courts to confiscate assets from some of these communities. In places like Mishmar David, veteran members turned their backs on a life\'s work and moved to cities. Many kibbutzim, located in what have become prime real estate areas, are selling off portions of land to investors looking to build conventional urban and suburban housing. East of Ashdod, Mishmar David is reaching the end of a long process: the chaverim (members) have opted to officially abandon the classic communal life-style and turn themselves into a contemporary settlement. Kibbutz leader Moti Segev told Arutz Sheva today that even the kibbutz elders are happy about the move: it promises a brighter future, and will hopefully save the area from rapid decline.