Kibbutz Hanita – Model Of Wall And Tower

Under British High Commissioner for Palestine, Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope, who started in the position in 1931, times were relatively quiet.  After the Arab Riots started in 1936, no more settlements were allowed to be built. 

Shlomo Goren had the idea to build new settlements in advance, which the British accepted, provided they were completed in 1 day.  The idea was to build a fenced settlement of 1 dunam (more easily defendable), with 4 buildings inside and a watch tower.  The fence was a double fence, filled with gravel to strengthen it.  The design was very simple and could be built in 1 day.  The British even gave guns to defend the settlements.

Dozens of such settlements were built between 1936-1938.  In 1939, under the new High Commissioner, Sir Harold MacDonald, things started to change.  Approval was no longer given, partly due to the British getting ready for war.    

On 21.3.1938 50 trucks, carrying 500 people arrived to ensure the success of the setting up the kibbutz in 1 day.  They broke a trail and on their backs carried everything necessary for the operation to Lower Hanita, on the 5000 dunams of land which had already been purchased.  Yitzhak Sade was in charge, and a large ceremony was held.

At the time, there was no forest in the area, only sand. 

The first night 100 men remained to guard the settlement.  The Arabs attacked and 2 men were killed.  Over the next 2 months there were several attacks and a further 8 men were killed. The road to Upper Hanita was built and the group moved there.  Lower Hanita was used as a Hagannah training camp.

500 people live in Hanita today and its income is from both industry and agriculture.