Amit Yifrah, secretary general of the Moshavim Movement and chairman of the Israel Farmers Association, which manages the movement's operations room, says: "We are helping families and communities from moshavim in the south evacuate to various communities, all in coordination with the army and the regional council. Our assessment is that fighting will probably also begin from the north, so we are engaged in placing families from moshavim in the south in the central region of the country (Gezer, southern Sharon) to the Jezreel Valley, so that we will also be able to provide a future response for residents of the north if necessary."
What do families or communities who want to evacuate do?
"You can contact us, and in coordination with the army and in cooperation with the regional council, we are working to evacuate those who need it to another community. We provide the response and location according to the family's request and our ability to help."
What are the guidelines for farmers?
"In war, we act according to a general's order. In such a situation, farmers near the fence are forbidden to come to the agricultural area and pick agricultural goods, or alternatively to irrigate and care for the orchard or greenhouse. The farmer loses his livelihood here significantly, and we are working with the Tax Authority at the end of the war to provide direct and indirect compensation. It is possible that in the future there will be a shortage of certain products due to the situation.
"The situation is even more complicated when it comes to cowsheds or chicken coops, since the animals must be fed and provided with proper conditions. Some of the cowsheds and chicken coops have protected areas, but because they are spread over a large area and the escape time to the protected area is very short, the farmers are exposed to gunfire."
What about owners of bed and breakfasts or olive presses, wineries and rural tourism?
"We are working with the state to provide compensation for those engaged in rural tourism. Usually, at the end of the fighting, we approve compensation for business owners with the Knesset, with our guiding principle being to compare the source of income from the corresponding period last year to that of the current year."
For assistance - please contact Kobi Shmuel, Society and Community Division: 052-6733961
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