Living and working in the kibbutzim of the Arava, it’s easy to forget the outside world. The kibbutz world is quite small, especially in Neot Semadar. In Neot Semadar, there is no radio or television. No mobile phones in public. Newspapers are available only in …
Read MoreThe kibbutzim
My initial interest in going to Israel and Palestine was driven by my fascination with the kibbutz as a unit of community. A weird 20th century socialist utopian sort of colonial settlement where people live together, sharing livelihoods and living in an state of acknowledged …
Read MoreAn ethical test
Since I came back to Denmark three weeks ago, lots of people have asked how I feel about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and what I have learned about it in my three months there. I have a lot of friends on the progressive left who were …
Read MorePracticing creative ecology
I only stayed in Lotan for two weeks, but in that time I did get to try my hand at some of the creative ecology practiced there. First of all, I got to join the Green Apprentices for some of their lectures and activities. These …
Read MoreKibbutzment
On one of the walls in the Kibbutz Lotan dining hall you’ll see a number of framed marriage certificates. These are marriages between kibbutz members and the kibbutz itself. A way for the reform jews in the kibbutz to indicate their commitment (kibbutzment?) to the …
Read MoreWelcome to Kibbutz Lotan
I have now arrived at Kibbutz Lotan where I’ll be volunteering for 2 weeks. Lotan is located only 20 minutes’ drive from Neot Semadar, in the Arava valley, right on the Jordanian border (there’s only 50 metres from the eastern gate of the kibbutz to …
Read MoreThe two-day weekend
In Israel, most people work a six-day week, having only Saturday off (though Friday is only a half-day). But now the Israeli parliament has opened discussion of extending the weekend to two full days. But which day should it be: Friday or Sunday? The issue …
Read MoreThe holy land
I returned to Jerusalem more than two months after my first visit. This time I also visited the Mount of Olives, home to tonnes of churches, an immense Jewish graveyard and a brilliant view of the Temple Mount: According to Jewish tradition, the Temple Mount, …
Read MoreThe Galilee and the Golan Heights
From Haifa I went to the Galilee and from there to the Golan Heights – a relatively small area with huge political importance – both in terms of military strategic significance as well as in terms of resources. The Golan is a vital water supply …
Read MoreViews of Haifa
I left Jordan. From Eilat I got on an express bus for Haifa in northern Israel. A six-hour cross-country journey. This is Haifa. Israel’s third-biggest city, its biggest port, and home to a ridiculously big grain silo (the big grey building on the harbour). Apparently, …
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