Taking down the hothouses
צילום: איי פי
Kibbutz volunteers help disengage
United Kibbutz Movement sends 100 volunteers to Gush Katif to help dismantle hothouses prior to upcoming pullout
GANEI TAL - Kibbutz volunteers arrived at the Gaza Strip settlement of Ganei Tal Tuesday to assist eight farmers from Gush Katif transport their hothouses to Mavkiim.
They are planning to stay in Gush Katif for the next two weeks.
"We went from family to family in Gush. They didn't believe we would come, but afterwards we were greeted by many," task coordinator Yoel Marshak said. "Only settlers from Shirat Hayam weren't happy to see us, because they see it as a betrayal."
The initiative was born after the Prime Minister's Office approached the United Kibbutz Movement following requests by Gaza farmers for assistance.
100 volunteers answered the call
Nursery manager Ronit Balban turned to the kibbutz members to ask for help in order to save her business.
"I'm in a difficult situation," she said. "I always saw myself as someone who helps and contributes and now I've found myself on the other side, in need of help and support."
Kibbutz members heard the cry for help and hurriedly organized 100 volunteers, including former Agriculture Ministry Director-General Dan Kritzman.
Five teams of 20 people each were either sent to assist in dismantling hothouses, or helped set up equipment in Mavkiim.
The Disengagement Authority provided the group with a bus and is set to pay the volunteers NIS 150 a day for food and drink expenses.
'Leaving with our heads held high'
"We volunteered to help, morally as well, from settler to settler, farmer to farmer," Marshak said. "It means we are creating a feeling that we are disengaging together and leaving here with our heads held high …We feel the pain, and cannot sit and watch the television."
Marshak said the United Kibbutz Movement offered Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz to provide the IDF with volunteer reserve soldiers, should the army lack manpower.
"We took 22 tours of Gush Katif, followed by a meeting with the settlers and rabbis," he said. "The issues were controversial, but the settlers promised there would be no violence. Each group parted with the feeling of one nation."
