Kibbutz Nitzanim in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War: The Human Aspect

Abstract

In this study, I examine new aspects regarding the state of Kibbutz Nitzanim during the First Arab-Israeli War. Based on a microhistory approach of bottom-up and inside-out research, this article sheds light on the day-to-day reality in the Kibbutz, which included enthusiastic work and anxiety; feelings of discrimination and pride; bitterness and elation; all woven together to reflect people’s natural – and occasionally touching – reactions. Most surviving documents of that time,

 such as official letters, journals, telegrams, and personal memoires, can be found at the Massuah Archive, the IDF and Defense Establishment Archives, and the Kibbutz Archive, and these have been the basis of my study. This archival material, as well as the nature of the connections that kibbutz members had with each other and themselves, shed light on the relations they formed with the enforcements, the regional brigade (Givati), and the politicalsecurity establishment. These relations deeply affected the spirit of Nitzanim residents during the siege and played a big part in determining the results of the battle over the position.

Over the years, many profound discussions were held over the 1948 battle of Nitzanim. Thus far, this dispute over the reasons for the fall of Nitzanim and who was to blame for it, has left out a description of the ‘simple people’s’ daily lives in the kibbutz. In this article, I aim to mend this. According to my findings, ordinary life (during this emergency) was highly influential and affected the endurance of soldiers there. For example, we can find descriptions of shows of leadership and solidarity alongside disciplinary infractions and despair. This polarity would eventually be conducive to the downfall of Kibbutz Nitzanim, which was captured on June 7th, 1948.