The “Renewed” Kibbutz

Over the years, the unique form of cooperative settlement known as a Kibbutz, has had to undergo various difficulties and changes, yet it has managed to maintain its principles and survive. However, during the last decade, many kibbutzim have made substantial changes which contradict traditional Kibbutz ideology. This article is based on the report of the Public Committee for the kibbutzim, established in 2002 to recommend a new legal definition befitting the development that took place in the kibbutzim in the last decades. The Committee was also asked to submit its opinion on the issue of allocating apartments to kibbutz members. The article describes the inevitable changes that have occurred and analyzes the reasons and considerations that have led to the creation of a new form of Kibbutz.