A new study by Prof. Rachelle Alterman of the Technion proves that the rural agricultural sector in Israel is discriminated against in land-related issues, as no rural sector in any developed country. Kibbutzim and moshavim suffer from deliberate governmental discrimination that stems from prejudice and a distorted image. The language and images used when referring to kibbutz or moshav members use is reminiscent of the language in which the anti-Semites attack the Jews. They are described as being the rich people of the country who squeeze the public coffers and steal privileges at the expense of others – while the reality is the opposite.
The rural sector in Israel, composed mainly of communal kibbutzim and cooperative moshavim, is trampled by a land policy promoted by government authorities which was suitable for the initial years of the State of Israel but which has been frozen since then, and even regressed, so as to weak these exemplary communities socially and economically. The study has found that the “basket of property rights” for land and housing of farming communities in Israel is 50 to 80 percent lesser than the “basket of rights” of farmers in several OECD countries, including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Hungary.
/ Press room /
