Merkel shows interest in kibbutz life
On first day of her visit to Israel, German chancellor lays wreath on Ben-Gurion's grave, tours Kibbutz Sde Boker with President Peres
"Do you tour the desert here? I may join you on my next visit," she told kibbutz members who met with her at their culture room.
Merkel stood by the grave and listened to the president talk about what Ben-Gurion meant to him personally and to the State of Israel, and about the meaning of developing the desert and how this fits in with his vision for peace.
After laying a wreath on the grave, Merkel and Peres traveled in a black Mercedes to Ben-Gurion's cabin, where she was guided by Peres' granddaughter, Noa Valden.
She then delivered a speech on the lawn outside the cabin, speaking in favor of peace and Germany's partnership is developing the desert.
With the kibbutz children (Photo: AP)
Peres praised his guest, "Leaders can use daggers or words, and you are a woman of words and I have great appreciation for your sincerity," he said.
The German chancellor then met with the kibbutz children and their parents, and showed an interest in the kibbutz life in the heart of the Negev desert. Local residents reminded her that German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer visited Ben-Gurion at the kibbutz in 1952, a meeting which led to the renewal of relations between the two countries after the Holocaust.
'Save Israel from Ahmadinejad'
"In a few days Israelis will celebrate the holiday of Purim, a symbol of the people of Israel being saved from its enemies. We expect you to work to save Israel from its modern enemies and oppressors – headed by (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad, the modern Haman," kibbutz member Shmulik Melamed told the German chancellor.
Peres stressed that "the members of the kibbutzim and moshavim comprise only 1.5% of Israe's citizens, but they provide 8% of the national production, constitute 20% of our Air Force pilots and one-third of the decorated IDF soldiers."
'A woman of words' (Photo: Reuters)
"Do your children return to the kibbutz after the army?" Merkel asked. Mayor Rifman told her that about 30% of the children return to the kibbutzim these days.
"How many hens do you breed in this henhouse?" the chancellor went on to ask. "About 770,000 a year," replied kibbutz member Oded Hochberg.
'Do you have enough cars?'
This did not conclude Merkel's questions. "Do you get salaries here? How do you manage with money at the kibbutz," she asked the kibbutz secretary Zvi Ben-Dror. "We have a personal settling of accounts when we shop inside the kibbutz, but we can withdraw money when we wish to shop outside," he replied.
"Tell me," she continued, "do you have enough cars? What do you do when you want to take a trip with the family on the weekend?" Ben-Dror answered, "We have enough cars."
"And you tour the desert surrounding this place?" the German leader asked. "Of course, we take jeep tours and tour the area by foot or on camels," Rifman replied.
"And you," she turned to Hochberg, the man in charge of the henhouse, "can you ride a camel?" One of the kibbutz members invited her to join organized tours to the desert led by camels. "I may do that," she said, before rushing back to the helicopter which took her to the prime minister's Jerusalem residence for dinner.
