Similar to a kibbutz, a moshav is a type of cooperative agricultural settlement. It is a collection of individual farms that operate with shared harvesting equipment, storage facilities, and various other implements.
Though the farmers and their families that live on moshavim (plural for moshav) share equipment, the financial gain from each farm’s yield goes to the individual family.
Then what are kibbutzim?
Kibbutzim are described as a more communal agricultural settlement. Kibbutz in Hebrew means “gathering, group, or collective.” Kibbutz farmers and their families pool resources and share in the wealth that is produced as a result of their work. They are a multi-generation settlement with democratic management.
The kibbutzim families work together, and children are cared for as a group. Financial gains from the crops and industries on the settlements are reinvested into the community after families have been provided food, clothing, shelter, and medical services.
Today, although the shared and family-oriented lifestyle attracts young families, they have moved toward a more privatized approach to the land and property.
The kibbutzim activities focus on strengthening the farms and the community as a whole, from an economic, social, ideological perspective. Young people and their families find this lifestyle and security favorable and more and more are moving from the cities to kibbutzim.
Read more about kibbutzim of today HERE!
Moshavim and the Green Line
It is unfortunate today that many are not aware of the impact that the Green Line has on moshavim along the West Bank. Because farming is deeply rooted within the DNA of Israel’s history, it’s no surprise that opposing forces seek to destroy the nation’s livelihood.
The strip of land along the borders of Israel is more than the multitude of roots planted in it, but a contentious area for the nations that line it. The water, land, crops, and people are all under a thick cloud of tension as they long for the day of peace to settle the dust.
But those who live there find the strength to carry on their divine call to possess the land and harness its potential. Their livelihood is planted in the soil of the Promised Land.
What is the Green Line?
The Green Line is a geographical, political border that was agreed upon during a cease-fire in the Israeli War of Independence, also known as the Arab-Israeli War. The Green Line was temporarily established in 1949 between Israel and its opposing neighbors—Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
Jerusalem was divided in half by the line, and the land inside the Green Line was considered Israeli controlled. Beyond the Green Line was Jordan controlled.
The line was in effect until the Six-Day War in 1967, when Israel captured territories beyond the line—West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.
Since 1967, Israeli settlements that have been established beyond the former border are not being recognized as part of Israel by neighboring nations. The boundary of the Green Line runs through populated areas as well as farms. As a result, many towns and farmlands have been divided.
The Green Line was never agreed upon as a permanent border. By definition, a cease-fire is a temporary suspension of fighting while peace talks take place. Therefore, the Green Line should not be an indissoluble line.
In spite of the temporary status, it has become a line that is crossed—politically, economically, and spiritually.
How is the Green Line being crossed?
Recently, families that own farms along the West Bank and Gaza Strip, outside of the Green Line, have experienced firsthand the impact of living in this controversial area. This is largely due to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which is an anti-Semitic organization that aims to run Jews and Israelites out of the area of Judah and Samaria.
The BDS movement is actively promoting boycotts against family farms in these settlements beyond the Green Line.
What does this look like?
The Bitan family
Meet the Bitan family. Mr. and Mrs. Bitan moved to a moshav 3 miles from the Gaza Border in the 1940s. They wanted to possess the land and raise their family there. They became very successful flower farmers, selling their beautiful, fresh-cut buds to various businesses in Europe. Now, because of the BDS movement, Europe is no longer doing business with areas they consider occupied.
The Bitans live in one of these areas. Their family, including 24 grandchildren, are on the verge of bankruptcy and making plans to start over.
Because of My Olive Tree’s work with the IDF, and other kibbutzim in Israel, the Bitan family approached us, asking if we could partner with them to plant olive trees in their moshav—to help them make a new start.
They needed a miracle, and your sponsorships gave them just that. Because of YOU and your unwavering solidarity with Israel, you are saving the Bitan family farm!
The Bitans will have access to adequate irrigation due to our partnership with the City of Jerusalem and the IDF—which has control over the water resources in Israel.
This will be a location where your olive trees will grow and produce olives that will be pressed into oil. From there, the oil will be sold and dispersed, impacting a nation!
Can you imagine the joy this family now has as they envision the barren land of today being restored by a grove of blooming olive trees? Groves that produce olives for 500 years and are made into oil that is sold all over the world!
Think about the burden that was lifted and the hope that was given because of your support.
This family showed the humblest of gratitude. Their faces were worth a thousand words, though all they could say at the moment was “thank you.”
You are the miracle and answer to prayer for this family, and many others, in Israel. We just provide a path for your loving embrace to reach those who need hope the most. Let’s stop the lies and be the voice of truth that needs to be heard today!
