Tractors in Gaza communities to be fortified
Agriculture, Defense Ministries introduce new measures to protect farmers tending fields in range of Gaza barrages. Deputy Minister Vilnai: 'Every farmer should be able to work his land to the last inch'
In recent months farmers from kibbutzim and Gaza vicinity communities have been forced to significantly reduce their agricultural activities due to an escalation in sniper attacks.
Last January, a volunteer from Ecuador who was working the lands of kibbutz Ein-Hashlosha was killed by a Palestinian sniper.
In light of the situation, Vilnai held meetings with local leaders and was briefed by the farmers on the particular challenges they face.
After consulting with Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon, it was decided the State would fortify tractors operating up to 1,000 yards from the Gaza border.
The initiative will first be tested on four tractors, each one fitted with a form of protective armor. Later on, the remaining heavy machinery will be fortified based on the method which proves to be most successful.
Farming under fire at Ein-Hashlosha (Photo: Yoel Marshak)
The cost of fortifying one tractor is estimated at around NIS 150,000 (approx. $46,000). Other types of heavy machinery will fortified as well.
The project, scheduled to launched as early as next month, will be managed by the councils themselves after. The defense establishment hopes to complete the project during the summer. Other budgetary resources will be examined in the future, in order to fortify tractors owned by moshavim and kibbutzim more than a 1,000 yards from the security fence.
According to Vilnai, “this is another major step towards helping the Gaza vicinity communities. The defense establishment will continue to work towards ensuring that every farmer can work his land to the last inch.”
As part of their agreement, deputy Defense Minister Vilnai and Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon decided that the fortification will be equally funded by both ministries.
