Erez

History

Erez is named after the first group that settled the kibbutz, who were members of the Noar HaOved from Petah Tikva. It was founded in 1949.

Archaeological discoveries from Erez include a statue of a griffin with a Greek dedication by a priest, dating to 210/211 AD. Additionally, fragments of Greek inscriptions, one potentially Latin, have been found here.

1948 Arab-Israeli war

Before the founding of the kibbutz the Palestinian village of Dimrah (Arabic: دمرة) existed on the same land, with a population of 520 in 1945. On October 31, 1948, during the 1948 Palestine War, the village evacuated all women and children. Nothing specific is known of when the men left. However, the Arab Liberation Army often required men to stay and fight alongside its armed forces, all of whom would have been forced to withdraw if, as at Dimra, they were defeated.

2023 Hamas attack

On 7 October 2023, the kibbutz was attacked in the opening stage of the Gaza war. The kibbutz security team repulsed the attack in an hours-long battle, losing one of its members, Amir Naim. Two others were injured and received treatment outside the kibbutz.

The kibbutz's security team assembled to prevent the Hamas soldiers from entering the kibbutz through the main gate. After contacting the IDF they were informed that no help would be coming. A firefight involving rifles, grenades, and RPGs ensued.

The whole kibbutz was evacuated to a hotel in Mitzpe Ramon. After several weeks, makeshift schools were established. Since then the kibbutz's population was relocated to Kiryat Gat.

Economy

The kibbutz has three main industries: agriculture (arable and fruit farming as well as animal husbandry), manufacturing (Erez Thermoplastics Products manufactures plastic-covered materials), and research and development.

ErezDinningRoom03.jpg|The Dining Room ErezDinningRoom01.jpg|The Dining Room ErezDinningRoom02.jpg|The Dining Room ErezProtected-space.jpg|Protected space near the dining room

Notable people

• Keren Neubach

References

Kibbutz movement in crisis. Article by Larry Barzelai)

References

1. Hareuveni, Imanuel (2010). ''[https://kotar.cet.ac.il/KotarApp/Viewer.aspx?nBookID=93576566#58.9906.6.default Eretz Israel Lexicon]'' (in Hebrew). Matach. p. 58.
2. (2014-07-14). "XXI. Erez". De Gruyter.
3. Lieut C.R Conder, H.H Kitchener. (1878-05-01). "Palestine Exploration Fund Map: Ascalon/Gaza". The Israel Antiquities Authority.
4. (1945-04-01). "GAZA Sub-District VILLAGE STATISTICS -1945".
5. Morris, Benny. (2004). "The Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem Revisited". Cambridge University Press.
6. [https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1yx3zhwt Untrained, lacking proper arms, local security teams defended their Gaza border homes]
7. Kibbutz movement in crisis Larry Barzelai