Page 17 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - September 14

establish Kibbutz Gezer. (Later, for different Most of my second year of university was spent
reasons, I would be the only chaver of Garin on Garin issues and this was also the time when
Chet to be a member of Kibbutz Gezer.) the decision was taken to start Shnat Hachshara
and close the Hachsharat Noar and the
University was spent studying sociology at LSE Hachshara at the David Eder Farm. This
(another movement "tradition") and getting decision seemed necessary, even if sad, as I
involved in Zionist activity on campus. A fellow couldn't see any reason in the 1970s not to use
Machon-nik from Hashomer Hatzair started a the kibbutzim as hachsharot for the movement.
group called IPSAG (Israel Palestine Socialist
Action Group) which provided us with an When I finished my studies, I became Mazkir of
ideological base for opposing Matzpen and New- British Habonim (1972-4). One of the main
Left activists on campus. At LSE I was made trends I tried to strengthen at this time was co-
aware of the "incompatibility" of Socialism and operation with other Habonim national
Zionism when the Socialist society that I had movements, especially with European
joined held a Palestine Solidarity week and told movements which were much smaller than us
me "Zionists are not welcome here." My and also to look for sister movements to join us
argument that the two ideologies were on Mevo Hama (the South Africans turned us
compatible was lost on my fellow socialists. down but the Australians joined).

When Garin Chet was told that Ichud Hakvutzot, In autumn 1974, together with my wife Laurel
the kibbutz movement, wouldn't "waste" another (nee Cunliffe), our baby son Dani and the rest of
garin on Kibbutz Gezer, we were faced with a the fourth Kvutsah of Garin Chet, I came on
problem as the only new kibbutzim being Aliyah to Kibbutz Mevo Hama, where I was a
established were in the Arava or beyond the member until 1982.
green line. Finally our world movement, Ichud
Habonim, suggested Kibbutz Mevo Hama, on the These ten years were the most formative for me,
south of the Golan Heights which left many of us by exposing me to Socialism and Zionism in its
with an ideological dilemma. Some of the chalutzic aspect and by giving me an additional
Garin's founders, my Madrichim's generation, "family" here in Israel. Since 1964 Habonim-
left the Garin rather than settle over the green Dror has been and always will be an inseparable
line and it was left largely to my generation to try part of me.
to reunite and lead the Garin until the first
Kvutza made Aliyah in autumn 1971.

IRGUN VATIKEI HABONIM, UK
Preliminary Announcement
th
15 Annual Weekend Reunion, 8-10 May 2015 at
the Lady Anne Middleton Hotel, York

You can reserve a place by contacting either:
Jenny Green 0113-268-0825 email: mike_jen_green@btopenworld.com or
Selma Tobias 0113-262-2878 email: alan.tobias@virgin.net
Looking forward to seeing you in May

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