Gaza Conflict Casts Grim Shadow on Israel’s Agricultural Heartland

It has been over a week since the horrific events along the Gaza border, and the full extent of the catastrophe is far from clear. The economic impact is immeasurable, and the damage inflicted on various industries, particularly agriculture, threatens to have long-lasting repercussions.

The region surrounding the Gaza Strip is known as “Israel’s vegetable patch.” Approximately 75% of the vegetables consumed in Israel are grown there, along with 20% of the fruit and 6.5% of the milk supply. This region also hosts chicken farms, cattle ranches, and fish farms.

However, this vital sector has suffered severe blows. Tragically, farmers and laborers have lost their lives, fields have been set ablaze, and livestock and poultry have been left unattended. In the initial hours of the conflict, disruptions to water and power supplies exacerbated the suffering of both animals and produce.

Amit Yifrach, the General Secretary of the Moshavim Movement and Chairperson of the Israel Farmers Federation, emphasizes the challenges faced by agriculture in the affected areas. He underscores the need for workers, especially in a time of crisis. Due to the safety concerns, many Thai workers were evacuated from the border zone, leaving a significant labor shortage.

Yaron Solomon, Head of the Economic Department of the Farmers Federation, paints a bleak picture. He explains that farmers are struggling to access their fields due to army restrictions, while the avocado harvest is at risk because of a shortage of labor. The entire crop of carrots, radishes, onions, zucchini, and cucumbers is under threat.

The Ministry of Agriculture has declared its commitment to supporting the industry, offering financial aid for recruiting and accommodating workers. Despite the difficulties, the ministry’s Director General, Oren Lavi, has allocated NIS 2.5 million for this purpose.

Israel’s farming sector, particularly those in border areas, has faced numerous challenges recently, including incendiary balloons from Gaza, military operations, the pandemic, and government decisions to cut import duties. These import duty reductions have hit farmers hard, with many awaiting promised financial support.

There is growing concern about the potential collapse of the agricultural industry in the Gaza Strip border area. Farmers were promised NIS 770 million in support as part of the import duties reform, but this assistance has not materialized.

Lavi and farmers like Solomon argue that cuts to import duties have had a detrimental impact and are calling for additional support. The government’s decision to import large quantities of milk and eggs is seen as unnecessary by many farmers, who fear it will mainly benefit retail chains. They argue for controlled imports that protect local agriculture.

The collapse of the industry may lead to significant price increases, which would affect consumers, compounding existing issues. While some debate continues on whether the population of the Gaza border area will return, the consensus is clear: they will come back if the security threat is removed. The breached contract between citizens and the state revolves around the state’s provision of security, a contract many believe has been violated in the current circumstances.