Interesting piece in Saturday's Times on the privatisation of Israel's oldest kibbutz.
Degania was founded in 1910 when ten men and two women set up camp at Umm Juni on land purchased by the Jewish National Fund. The members of the commune paid their salaries into a communal account and received an allowance based on need.
A year ago a new system was trialled which paid according to ability and allowed to keep their earnings. In return they paid for services and tax to support the elderly and less well off. The trial was a success and has now become permanent.
I've not visited a kibbutz, but it seems that those have had a good time:
Actor Bob Hoskins stayed on one in 1967. "I was very good at ploughing. I loved it and the birds were amazing."
Duran Duran front man Simon le Bon stayed at Kibbutz Gvulot for three months in 1979. The bed he slept in was later turned in to a shrine.
Martin Couzins - acting editor
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