The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has overshadowed a growing crisis affecting thousands of farmers in the country. Without significant government support and public mobilization, the damage to Israeli agriculture could be irreversible.
In one moshav on the Gaza border, dozens of volunteers from Leket Israel were working tirelessly alongside third-generation farmers to save their crops. The contrast between rescue efforts and loss is stark, with some families fighting to preserve their legacy in an industry already struggling.
The crisis is deeper than it seems, with thousands of foreign workers leaving, including skilled laborers from Thailand, and vast farming areas being declared closed military zones for months. Palestinian workers are no longer permitted entry into the country, affecting farmers nationwide.
Israeli farmers are suffering, with immediate and cumulative damage to crops, trees, and local production shrinking at an alarming rate. Amid this crisis, volunteers from Israel and around the world have joined Leket Israel, providing crucial support to help farmers salvage their crops.
The impact of the crisis is not limited to farmers; Israelis are feeling it in every household. Fruit and vegetable prices have surged by dozens of percentage points, driving costs higher. Many families are forced to forgo purchasing fresh produce, directly impacting their nutrition and well-being.
It’s time for the Israeli government to act. Emergency funding for agriculture rehabilitation, direct grants for farmers, incentives for hiring local workers, tax relief, and assistance in restoring infrastructure are urgently needed. The farming community stands at a historic crossroads, and every helping hand, volunteer hour, or purchase of locally grown produce is a vote of confidence in our future as a strong and self-sufficient nation.
The answer lies with all of us. As the CEO of Leket Israel, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of this crisis. We distributed 31.4 tons of fresh agricultural produce and 2,084,000 meals through our network last year, feeding 415,000 Israelis in need each week. It’s time for collective action to ensure a sustainable future for Israeli agriculture.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-842079