1 2 3 6 5 4 96 97 Chapter Six | Agriculture The fact that the sun shines in Gush Ka�f most of the year adds credit points to the quality of the produce. Also, the proximity to the sea and the desert's dryness created a unique microclimate that added quality to quan�ty and led to high demand for Gush Ka�f produce in all global markets. Despite most farmers lacking a background in the field, their unwavering determina�on to learn and apply new methods has made them leaders in every field they ventured into. This determina�on has led to impressive achievements in the industry on every scale.34 The distance from the center also proved to be an advantage. Large packing houses were established in Gush Ka�f, and the reputa�on of the produce spread like wildfire. Dependence on workers who only some�mes a�ended shi�s hastened the farmers' shi� toward mechanical and computerized work methods. It was easier to trust watering and fer�liza�on computers than the temporary workforce. Thus, the industry in Gush Ka�f has evolved with the adop�on of the latest technologies, opera�ng at a high level and successfully mee�ng all interna�onal standards. This progress has even led to par�cipa�on in the most important exhibi�ons and markets in the world. Gush Ka�f farmers became those who created something out of nothing, turning disadvantages into significant benefits. The blend of par�cular environmental condi�ons and extraordinary people who worked very hard but knew that not everything depended on them, who did their best but sensed they were on a mission - this special compound formed the tremendous success of Gush Ka�f agriculture.35 Gush Ka�f farmers worked hard and were hands-on in every detail, contribu�ng to their success. Accurate records, rou�ne water and soil tes�ng, knowledge and pest control, marke�ng and delivery organiza�on, compliance with periodic audits, scheduling and arranging teams' alloca�on, new purchases, ongoing acquisi�on of knowledge, good rela�onships with the right people in each field, especially during emergency and pressure situa�ons—the farmers did everything by themselves. Gush Ka�f farmers felt they got to sanc�fy the ordinary by developing insect-free, clean vegetables. They were full of crea�ve joy, and the quality of their products filled them with unique pride.36 Hebrew labor Many farmers insisted on Hebrew labor despite the high cost and difficulty of obtaining Jewish laborers. In Kfar Darom, this was a guiding principle, a part of the residents' credo. "We've always employed Jewish employees only. We highly regard this par�cular value," the residents of Kfar Darom tes�fied.37 It was also a fundamental principle in Atzmona and the Ka�f coopera�ve moshav.38 Other se�lements avoided hiring Arab laborers in the first years. S�ll, as their farms grew and expanded, and many working hands were needed, there was no way to escape it, so each farmer decided for himself, according to his needs and affairs.39 Rela�ons with the Arab neighbors Most farmers who par�cipated in the Ka�f Center's Documenta�on Project of Gush Ka�f stated that they had very good rela�ons with the Arab employees and, in the first years, described visits to Khan Yunis and Deir-el-Balakh. A�er the disengagement, some kept in touch with them by phone, and some of the evacuated farmers even supported their former Arab employees financially. Two examples of this are Itzik Zeig and Rachel Hendel from Ganei Tal. Itzik - To this day I am in touch with my chief worker. Close to the evacua�on, he called me and said that he had a daughter, and he didn't have a job. I sent him money with a laborer who worked for Ronit Balaban in moving the greenhouse. I also worked there. Later, he was injured in an accident and again, I transferred money to him through the bank, and so on, it added up to several thousand shekels. When the Arab workers' lawsuit against the Jewish employers was filed, my worker was not among them, and that was his way of saying thank you and my gain. Rachel - We transferred money to them twice: once through the bank and once through someone who came to Israel from there because they said they had no work and nothing to eat. We felt sorry for them, and helped. To this day, we talk on the phone.40 The Arab neighbors also benefi�ed from the accelerated development of Gush Ka�f, and they also made significant progress thanks to their exposure to advanced Jewish agriculture. When the first Jewish residents arrived in the Gaza Strip, the only agriculture near the coast was 'Muasi agriculture' (see below). From plowing with a team of oxen at the beginning of the winter and manually separa�ng the trash from the kernels during harvest in the summer, they switched within a few years to tractors, greenhouses, fer�lizers and drip irriga�on. The Arab laborers acquired experience, knowledge, and ideas while working for the Jewish farmers, and they applied them to their se�lements. Many greenhouses began to pop up in Arab se�lements in the Gaza Strip.41 The good rela�onships with the Arab neighbors took a heavy toll, and some Gush Ka�f farmers paid for it with their lives. Uri Megidish (May God Avenge His Death) was murdered on the holiday of Purim in the greenhouses at Gan Or. Shaia Deutsch and Roni Salah (May God Avenge Their Deaths) were murdered in their territories in Kfar Yam; Doron Shorshan (May God Avenge His Death) was murdered in the fields of Kfar Darom; Nissan Dolinger, Amos Sa'ada, and Asaf Zfira were murdered in the Rafiah Yam greenhouses. 1 Chive greenhouse 2 Tomato greenhouse 3 Yisrael Zerbib from Netzer Hazani in his spice greenhouse 4 Geranium nursery 5 Tomatoes for the industry 6 Citrus orchard in Gan Or
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