KIBBUTZ NEGBA, TOWER & STOCKADE SETTLEMENT & A HILL NAMED TOM & TOMER.

KIBBUTZ NEGBA was one of 52 Jewish outposts which started off as a TOWER & STOCKADE SETTLEMENT. Established in 1939 and initialy settled by Polish immigrants, the kibbutz is located in the northern Negev and was the sothern most Jewish encampment during the mandate period.(1917-1948). The kibbutz played a prominent role during the War of Independence (1947-48) inwhich 24 of its members were killed over the course of 2 battles. It is home to their gravesites as well as monument dedicated to their memory. A bullet riddled water tower within the kibbutz serves as a testimony to the intensity of the battles.

During the mandate period,the British imposed severe restrictions on both Jewish immigration to their ancestral land and on the establishment of new Jewish settlements therein. This coupled with the 1936-1939 Arab revolt, also known as great revolt, induced the resident Jewish community to devise a strategy to overcome these restrictions.

In order to establish facts on the ground the local Jewish community exploited an Ottoman law that was still in effect. The law stated that any illegal structure that was roofed could not be dismantled. It was thus imperative to hastily build a structure that adhered to this legal stipulation. The TOWER & STOCKADE concept was implemented in which pre-fabricated wooden elements were used to construct a fence that enclosed an area of 1 dunam that housed both a pre-fabricated roofed guard tower & adjacent rooms. This was in most cases achieved overnight, and over time these structures evolved into fortified agricultual settlements. The kibbutz is home to a fully sized reconstruction of the structure.

Just beyond the borders of the kibbutz is THE HILL OF TOM AND TOMER, a site that brings us to the year 1997.Two helicopters carrying 73 I.D.F. soldiers hovered over Israel's northern border before entering Lebanon. As is customary, the lead helicopter turns off its lights before entering Lebanon and in so doing caused the second helicopter to crash into it. The collision resulted in the death's of all 73 soldiers. Two of the soldiers that died, were Tom Keidar from kibbutz Negba (the youngest son of Yoav and Hagit Keidar) and Tom's best friend Tomer. Tom had a deep love for the country and in particular the flora and fauna of the land. In order to memorialize Tom & Tomer and the other 71 soldiers that perished, Tom's father Yoav created a garden made up of plants & fruits indiginous to the land of Israel. At the entrance to the garden is an electric pylon that has been transformed into a memorial to the fallen soldiers by having 73 doves painted on its surface.

Visitors are asked to donate 10 shekels when entering the site which also accomodates picnic tables.

Ron Traub (Tour Guide & Architect). Website : rontraub-tours.com Photo’s : Rimonah Traub & Wikipedia.