Kibbutz Beeri Tour - Help Rebuilding Israel's South Again

Kibbutz Be'eri is a communal farm in southwestern Israel located 4 kilometers (3 miles) east of the Gaza Strip. It is named after Berl Katznelson, a Zionist movement leader from the first half of the twentieth century.

Kibbutz Beeri represents the pioneering spirit and resilience of the Israeli people who were motivated to overcome unbelievable challenges and build a flourishing community under extreme conditions. This historic kibbutz, founded in 1946, has weathered numerous challenges such as terrorist attacks, lack of resources, and weather conditions but continues to thrive amidst the ever-changing landscape of Israel.

A tour of Kibbutz Beeri offers a unique opportunity to witness the tragic events of October 7th, 2023, volunteer, donate, and help the people who survived the worst period in Kibbutz history.

Kibbutz Beeri History

Kibbutz Beeri was established as part of the ambitious 11 Settlements in the Negev Project, an initiative launched by the Zionist movement to quickly settle the Negev region. On October 6, 1946, several Jewish organizations collaborated to establish settlements in the Northwestern Negev. Groups of 40 young Israelis were assigned to each new settlement, and convoys of 220 trucks delivered the necessary materials. Despite the British presence, there was no intervention against these settlements, and a crucial pipeline was set up to supply water to each site.

The project was a resounding success. In 1947, UNESCO noted the rapid development of the Negev by Jewish settlers, leading to its inclusion in the proposed Jewish state under the partition plan. During the Israeli-Arab War of 1948, Kibbutz Beeri endured bombing by the Egyptian army but managed to withstand the assault. After the war, the kibbutz relocated 3 km southeast to its current location.

Economically, Kibbutz Beeri has thrived, primarily through agriculture. The kibbutz grows tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, peanuts, Mankai, and jojoba trees, with the latter producing oil for the cosmetics industry of the Dead Sea products. Since the 1950s, the kibbutz has also run a successful printing company, "Beeri Print" that prints almost all Israeli invoices! The kibbutz's economic achievements have allowed it to maintain its cooperative model, preserving the communal farm ethos.

As of October 6th, 2023, Kibbutz Beeri was home to 1,110 residents

Kibbutz Be’eri Massacre 2023

Kibbutz Be’eri was known for its left-wing population supporting the Palestinians from Gaza before the October 7th events. Residents of Kibbutz Beeri provided jobs for Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank and even some residents supported them financially. At least 7 Kibbutz members drove sick Palestinians to cancer treatment in Israeli hospitals every week!

However, on October 7th, 2023 morning, over 100 Hamas terrorists penetrated Kibbutz Beeri from three directions including the main gate, killing six members of the first response squad, it is worth mentioning that response trams are not trained to fight numerous terrorists but stop them for a while till the army arrives. Hamas Nuqba terrorists murdered at least 93 people, the youngest of whom was 10 months old (Mila Cohen) and the oldest, Hannah Kritzman, who was 88 years old!!!. They also attacked the Kibbutz clinic, killing doctor Daniel Levy and paramedic Amit Man. At least 29 Kibbutz members were kidnapped and eventually murdered in Gaza, including Yehudit Weiss and Ofrah Keidar. The militants were accompanied by a journalist and a television crew that broadcasted and glorified the massacre. Later, residents from Gaza, including the elderly and children, infiltrated the kibbutz and took part in the bloodbath and looting.

Israeli soldiers cleared the kibbutz after 2.5 days of fighting and 25 deaths.

In Kibbutz Beeri, 101 civilians, 31 soldiers, policemen, members of the standby squad, and Shin Bet fighters were murdered. 30 of Kibbutz Beeri's men were kidnapped to Gaza. Today, 11 of Beeri's men are being held in Gaza.

The Names of Kibbutz Beeri - Residents and Soldiers

Kidnap Survivors: Yarden Roman-Gat, Amit Shani, Adi Shoham, Yahel Gani Shoham, Nave Shoham, Shoshan Haran, Alma Or, Liam Or, Noam Or, Hila Shoshani-Rotem, Raaya Rotem, Noga Weiss, Shiri Weiss, Nutthawaree Munkan, Gali Tarshansky, Kong Sae Lao, Noam Avigdori, Sharon Avigdor, Raz Ben Ami, Ofir Engel, Emily Hand.

Kidnapped: Eli Sharabi, Tal Shoham, Ohad Ben Ami, Carmel Gat.

Murdered In Captivity: Yossi Sharabi, Dror Or, Yonatan Samerano, Ilan Weiss, Itay Svirski, Sahar Baruch, Ofra Kedar, Sonthaya Oakkharasr, Sudthisak Rinthalak, Judith Weiss, Eitan Levy.

Murdered: Igor Lusev, Marina Lusev, Amit Mann, Avraham (Avlum) Mils, Avi Moore, Raffi Mordo, Mordechai Naveh, Silvia Ohayon, Jonathan Rappaport, Dor Rider, Lianne Sharabi, Noya Sharabi, Yahel Sharabi, Ziv Shoffen, Hanna Siton, Itzhak Siton, Tal Siton, Vivian Silver, Tamar Sochman, Orit Svirski, Raffi Svirski, Ohad Cohen, Yonat Or, Orel Alon, Hagit Refaeli Mishkin, Paul Vincent Castelvi, Hillel Zalmanovich, Avi Mor, Anula Jayathilaka, Loreta Alacre, Lior Tarshansky, Yona Fricker, Hanna Kritzman, Sujit Nisanka, Yanai Heler Hetzroni, David Haim Meir, Ayala Hetzroni, Dan Ganot, Liel Hetzroni, Amir Weiss, Mati Weiss, Shmulik Weiss, Chaim Zohar, Neta Adrian, Yossi Aptalon, Avshalom Haran, Carmel Bachar, Dana Bachar, Geula Bachar, Mezzi Bachar, Maayan Bar, Yuval Bar, Yoram Bar-Sinai, Chava Ben-Ami, Oron Bira, Tahel Bira, Tair Bira, Tal Bira, Yasmin Bira, Inbar Buyum, Grace Cabrera, Galit Carbone, David Carol, Albert Avlom Miles, Mila Cohen, Pessy Cohen, Yona Cohen, Yitzhak Cozin, Adi Dagan, Daniel Levy, Alon Even, Chen Even, Ido Even, Rinat Even, Tchelet Fishbein, Marcel Frailich, Kinneret Gat, Ayelet Godard, Meni Godard, Zeev Haker, Zehava Haker, Narkis Hand, Mayana Hershkowitz, Noah Hershkowitz, Avia Hetzroni, Yehudit Itzhaki, Rotem Kalderon, Dror Kaplun, Shoshana Karasenti, Sami Keidar, Lilach Kipnis, Evyatar Kipnis, Eric Kraunik, Ronnie Levy.

Killed On Duty: Roee Negri, Ariel Ohana, Shilo Cohen, Ofek Rousso, Eli Ginsberg, Noy Shosh, Benjamin Trakeniski, Boris Danilov, Gadif Mologota, Dor Mangadi, Hezi (Yechezkel) Rezilov, Avi Amar, Adir Gaori, Itay Yehoshua, Shachar Zemach, Omri Belkin, Neria Ben-David, Ohad (Bodi) Cohen, Naveh Elazar Lax, Yonatan Gutin, Eliran Abargil, Haggai Avni, Idan Baruch, Vadim Blich, Gil Buyum, Meir Elhanan Clemanzon, Valentin (Eli) Ghnassia, Sagi Golan, Eitan Hadad.

 Kibbutz Beeri Maps and Useful Information

For more detailed information about Kibbutz Beeri, its history, and ongoing projects, you can visit their official website. The website offers a wealth of information for visitors, including updates on community activities and volunteer opportunities. Another important map providing names of victims is the October 7th massacre map.

In July 2024 a full report came out after a deep investigation into the tragedy of Kibbutz Beeri, you can read it here.

 Volunteer in Kibbutz Be’eri 

Kibbutz Beeri before the attack has a long tradition of welcoming volunteers from around the world. These volunteers play a crucial role in supporting the kibbutz's various operations and contributing to its vibrant community life. Whether working in agriculture, education, or community services, volunteers are an integral part of Beeri's resilience and ongoing success. Today volunteers are needed in Kibbutz Beeri after the attack even more to rebuild the Kibbutz in various ways after the October 7th massacre... painting, construction, etc. For more information please contact me.

Kibbutz Beeri Tour Cost

The cost of the tour in Kibbutz Beeri is not predetermined, this is not a standard tourist tour that allows you to pay for the visit. The purpose of the tour is to expose the tragedy of October 7th to the world and collect donations for the rebuilding of the community, as much as you choose to donate we can help coordinate a visit to the kibbutz.

Visit Kibbutz Beeri Today

Visiting Kibbutz Beeri is optional during my private tours around the Gaza Envelope daily, please coordinate in advance.