Foreign Volunteers Replace Workers Who Fled Israeli Farms Under Fire
Farmers and their predominantly Thai and Nepalese laborers were left devastated after a deadly attack on October 7th by Hamas-led Palestinian gunmen forced them to flee their farms. The violence triggered a war, leaving stretches of cultivated Israeli desert abandoned and crops at risk of rotting.
In response, civil society groups in Israel quickly mobilized online, creating an app to connect people with free time to farms in need of assistance. Additionally, shuttered universities offered financial aid to students in exchange for agricultural work.
These initiatives resonated abroad, sparking a global response in a debate already intensified by the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the Gaza war wages on and casualties rise, many individuals from around the world feel compelled to take action.
According to the U.S. office of the nonprofit Jewish National Fund (JNF), over 145,000 foreign volunteers have been drawn to Israel during the war. These volunteers have become a lifeline for farmers who would otherwise struggle to keep their operations running.
The farmers could not survive without the help of the volunteers. The volunteers are there filling the gap, said Gil Macklaine from the JNF. Without them, many farmers would collapse.
The Israeli Ministry of Agriculture has highlighted a significant shortfall of approximately 30,000 workers and is actively seeking individuals from Sri Lanka, India, and Vietnam to provide assistance.
Recent data from the Israeli parliament reveals that the agriculture sector employed 73,500 workers in 2021, with 44% being Israeli, 33% foreigners (primarily Thai), and 23% Palestinian.
Farmers who have been interviewed privately acknowledge the usefulness of volunteers for certain tasks like crop-picking, but they express reservations about their ability to operate machinery. Many of the volunteers stay for just a day or two, limiting their ability to learn more complex skills. However, the high turnover rate ensures a steady stream of helping hands, according to farmers.
Volunteers have the option to work in the Gaza periphery or on farms in the north, which have also been affected by rocket attacks from Lebanon. They receive instructions on the nearest bomb shelter and are taught to take cover if sirens sound.
We chose to come to Israel to help because it’s hard to sit at home in Los Angeles and watch what’s happening and not want to do something, shared Lisa Liner, a volunteer from Los Angeles. This was something we could do – to come and help whoever needed help, and it’s mostly farmers. So we are doing whatever we’re asked to do.
The situation in Israeli farms showcases the compassion and determination of people from all over the world to lend their support during this challenging time. Foreign volunteers are playing a critical role in cultivating crops and maintaining agricultural operations that are vital for the country’s food security.
As the conflict persists, it remains to be seen how long these volunteers can continue their contributions. However, their dedication and willingness to help demonstrate the power of unity and solidarity in times of crisis.
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