459:
95:
602:. It was concluded that growing these crops in the summer was not possible in that region, but the winter cultivation proved successful, by 1944 yielding 60 kg of wheat and 90 kg of barley per dunam (compared to 11.5 and 13.7, respectively, in the nearby Arab villages). A similar success was recorded in Gvulot, which yielded 61.5 kg of wheat, 75 kg of barkey, 86 kg of oatmeal and 98 kg of peas per dunam. Despite this, it was noted that 1944 was a rainy year and the yields could be lower in other years.
23:
458:
334:
well, dug on July 21, 1943, turned up highly saline water. Five additional digs were made in 1943–1944, but turned out unsatisfactory. Tar-covered water collection ditches were also attempted, and helped ease the situation, but much water seeped through them into the ground, and additional filters had to be installed to make the water suitable for drinking.
87:
62:
30:
46:
79:
555:
making it impossible to rely on the average amount. In addition, it was discovered that the proportion of rainfall in each month to the yearly average was different in the Negev than in other areas in
Mandatory Palestine; in particular, there was a lot of rainfall in the month of May. The measurements also concluded that the amount of
349:
largest in the three lookouts at 1.2 m in height, was eventually built in
Revivim. Three large reservoirs were also built in Revivim, with capacities of 40,000, 60,000 and 100,000 m. They drained into the ground very quickly however. These projects represented the lion's share of the lookouts' expenditures, at over 70,000
403:'s nomadic lifestyle. The local authorities took either a pro-Zionist or anti-Zionist stand depending on who headed them. The relationship with the British military were generally warm, especially in Revivim where some of the residents worked in the British base in 'Asluj and the British protected the area to prevent theft.
398:
The
British Mandate authorities were ambivalent towards the founding of the lookouts. On the one hand, the Yishuv broke Mandatory law not just with the land purchases, but also with illegally holding weapons and operating illegal radios. On the other hand, there was no reason not to allow the Jews to
445:
Little non-agricultural development occurred during these years outside Beit Eshel. While Gvulot and
Revivim each had over 100 members, only a few actually lived on the sites—12–14 in Gvulot and about 25 in Revivim. Despite this, the vast majority of these residents worked in the lookouts, something
348:
In
Revivim, a water well was purchased from the British administration, but its water was too saline. The workers then received free water from the British military base at Bir 'Asluj, until a new dig uncovered water at a depth of over 100 m and a tractor was modified to pump it out. A dam, the
333:
In the beginning, Gvulot got its water from nearby Arab villages. The price was 1 Palestine pound for 1 cubic meter, very high for the time. The cost of transport (done with a mule cart) was also high. In light of that, great effort was made to find an independent water source in the area. The first
319:
Many of the early settlers, unable to adjust to the intense heat during the day, freezing temperatures at night, and plagues of mosquitoes, packed up and left. Those who remained built uniform settlements consisting of a square courtyard surrounded by walls, a watchtower, living quarters and service
605:
By contrast, in
Revivim, both winter and summer cultivations were reasonably successful, but the village was criticized for using rainwater that had been expensive to collect for large-scale farming, especially during the winter months. It was therefore unclear whether cereal farming in Revivim was
449:
The residential areas of the lookouts were built as a castle—a two-floor stone building serving as a tower, with a 35 m courtyard surrounded by a stone wall. The tower served as the living quarters for up to 25 people, and the lookouts were encouraged not to build living quarters anywhere else
381:
Transportation of goods and people were done with the vehicles in the lookouts, which each had a van and sometimes a truck. When these were unavailable or could not be used, the residents of
Revivim and Beit Eshel relied on outside means—British vehicles traveling to and from the base at 'Asluj and
238:(JNF), operating as the Tzukerman Office, a private real estate company secretly affiliated with the JNF. If required to purchase land from Arabs (after 1940), the office would recruit Arabs who had allied themselves with the Yishuv, to circumvent the British ban. The land was mostly purchased from
554:
conducted meteorological surveys. The only previous surveys had been done on a much smaller scale in police stations in the area in the 19th
Century. They concluded that precipitation was higher in the northern Negev than in the southern, although the amount varied significantly from year to year,
609:
Fruits and vegetables were also grown in the lookouts. In
Revivim, vegetable harvests were rich, but much water was required to maintain the crops (275 m per dunam in for corn and 360 m for radish and beet), therefore making the venture unprofitable. Orchards were planted at low density
341:. Only after World War II was Beit Eshel able to acquire a suitable pump. Eight wells were dug in Beit Eshel in total, two of them successful (another one was further east and saved for later). Mini-dams were built in the wadis around Beit Eshel for irrigation. A larger dam was planned for the
197:
In general, the Yishuv, which was vehemently opposed to the White Paper, was interested in settling the Negev and conducting geological and hydrological surveys there. It also wished to test the
British reaction to such a move. On April 29, 1942, a number of Yishuv notables, including
295:
Beit Eshel's first residents arrived on August 9, 1943—four people with a tractor and two tents. An additional 36 people joined them later. The residents were immigrants from Austria and Germany, later joined by immigrants from Romania and native Jews. The group was called HaYogev
450:
for security reasons. However, this was disregarded in Beit Eshel as the need for additional living space arose. By 1947, security considerations trumped all others in plans for new constructions, not just in the lookouts, but also in most other settlements in the Negev.
269:
The first settlement, Mitzpe Gvulot (today simply Gvulot) was established on May 12, 1943. The first squad numbered 12 people who came with a truck, four tents and a tractor. The group consisted of native Jews and a number of immigrants from Bulgaria from the Kibbutz
610:(about 4 trees per dunam) of olives, peaches, apricots, almonds and pomegranates. Many of them froze in the winter or did not grow due to excessive water salinity. The most successful were dates, olives and pomegranates, which could grow on saline water.
134:. The goal was securing the land and assessing its feasibility for agriculture. The founding was preceded by a complex land purchase procedure, as the British authorities had practically prohibited Jewish land acquisition in the area following the costly
373:
allowed it to receive superior communication services, such as a regular postal service (the letters were delivered to Beersheba) and a telephone line. The other lookouts communicated only through a pirate radio with the rest of the lookouts and the
618:
Trees were planted in the lookouts in order to shield the agricultural land from storms and moving sand. It was hoped that some of these would also turn a profit. In the years 1943–1948, about 500,000 seedlings were planted, with species including
360:
around the lookouts. In light of that, a decision was made that the water for these settlements would be provided by localities north of the Negev. However, budgets were also approved for additional wells and experiments in the existing villages.
210:, toured the area to determine its adequacy for settlement. While Rupin and Kaplan proposed creating a number of agricultural settlements in the area, Weitz rejected the idea and recommended the construction of three outposts—in the areas of
542:
An important geological survey was conducted in 1944–1945. The survey included 2,450 samples spread over 2.7 million dunams (2,700 km). It concluded, among other things, that most of the Negev's soil was deeper than 2 m and of the
225:
Weitz eventually proposed creating ten such outposts, that would each employ 10–12 workers living in a walled building. Eventually however, only three outposts were created, as per Weitz's original recommendation.
242:, who were usually not nationalistically motivated and more interested in the financial aspect. The JNF also set out to buy Jewish-owned land in the region, which was mostly unused. In 1936, this totalled 41,000
257:), and near 'Asluj and Beersheba. Lands were bought, but at the time the Bedouins in the area were enjoying relative prosperity and were less willing to sell. This significantly hurt the settlement plan for
513:
in the west to Hazali in the east. The lands were mostly on sandy soil, being just north of expansive sand dunes. Beit Eshel was also built on a plateau, about 300 m above sea level, 3 km east of
292:, and originally named Tel Tzofim. Three members came three months earlier, but were driven out by the British. On July 28, six people came to the site and started construction, soon joined by another six.
559:
falling in the northern and western Negev was higher than in any other part of Mandatory Palestine. Research was also performed on the temperature, winds, air moisture and evaporation.
438:
due to lack of jobs. Several factories were therefore built in the village, including a wool processing plant, a tin plant and a factory that manufactured construction materials. A
414:
tribes that ruled the area. Gvulot employed eight Bedouin guards. While economic ties were limited, the lookouts made an effort to keep warm social ties. Each lookout appointed a
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586:
A number of agricultural experiments were also conducted, which would pave the way for future agriculture in the arid region. In Beit Eshel, attempts were made to grow
566:, who concluded that none of the three lookouts would serve as suitable locations for extracting ground water, which was either nonexistent or suffered from excessive
534:
As intended, the founding of the lookouts led to a number of important scientific researches which assisted future Jewish agricultural settlement in the Negev desert.
94:
467:
356:
By 1946, it had become clear that the three lookouts could not sustain an independent water supply. Also at that time, the Yishuv decided to create
246:(41 km). Another policy was to consolidate the lands as much as possible and buy adjacent lots, in order to be able to settle the land later.
222:—that would each be located on a different type of soil and help determine the suitability of the surrounding area for agriculture and habitation.
442:
was built in Revivim. Gvulot planned to build a diamond processing plant, but the relevant equipment was destroyed in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.
135:
505:
The three lookouts are located in different parts of the Negev desert with different characteristics; Gvulot was founded close to Wadi Shiniq (
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1185:
382:
public transport between Gaza and Beersheba, respectively. Gvulot was more isolated and while attempts were made to create a dirt road to
1228:
22:
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work, the lookouts' managers sought to create additional employment. In Beit Eshel, many of the residents were forced to move to
337:
Although suitable water was found in Beit Eshel, it was too deep to extract effectively at the time; water was purchased from
551:
157:, later served as a springboard for further Jewish population of the Negev. The residents of the lookouts made extensive
179:
490:
406:
Relations with the Bedouin were also mostly positive. The lookouts were in constant contact with the sheiks of the
194:
sought to broaden its areas of settlement in order to have greater capacity to house Jewish refugees from Europe.
691:
190:
desert was one of the areas where both were forbidden. On the other hand, World War II had broken out and the
289:
640:
357:
486:
478:
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342:
687:
235:
131:
570:. The only potential drilling site for water, according to Picard, was on the coastal plain between
183:
175:
139:
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in 1948, the site was abandoned. Its inhabitants moved to the Jezreel Valley, establishing Moshav
1223:
695:
482:
158:
578:. This research provided a general direction for choosing which land to purchase in the future.
485:, Beit Eshel was besieged by Egyptian forces and destroyed. When Beersheba was captured by the
1181:
509:), on a plateau 125 m above sea level. Gvulot's lands were heavily dispersed, going from
390:. In rainy months, the lookouts were isolated in terms of transportation, especially Gvulot.
312:. However, they were unable to do so due to lack of resources, and therefore organized as a
271:
411:
350:
297:
107:
254:
203:
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239:
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199:
783:
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207:
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624:
563:
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383:
182:
placed a number of restrictions on Jewish settlement and land purchase in the
154:
68:
1169:
The First Observation Posts in the Negev, the Sixtieth Anniversary: 1943–2003
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Gimel organization. Most of those who planned to settle in Gvulot stayed in
215:
470:
stage, on December 16, 1947, when local Bedouin attacked a vehicle between
567:
418:
and kept Bedouin hospitality traditions. By contrast, relations with the
353:(compared to an annual budget of about 10,000 pounds for each lookout).
86:
620:
595:
494:
471:
439:
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313:
279:
146:
36:
599:
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419:
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attempt permanent settlement in the Negev, which was rare due to the
309:
261:, which called for the purchase of 5,000–6,000 dunams (5–6 km).
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191:
150:
52:
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hill surrounded by a plateau. The soil was a mix of sand and loess.
78:
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and Revivim. The British forces in the area refused to intervene.
457:
387:
243:
211:
187:
127:
93:
85:
77:
556:
249:
In 1943, Weitz ordered Yoav Tzukerman to buy lands near Rafah/
123:
692:"Beersheba River Park with KKL-JNF on World Environment Day"
288:
Revivim was founded on July 28, 1943, by the organization
386:, in the end the residents had to take the route through
161:
and conducted agricultural experiments for this purpose.
466:
The first attack on one of the lookouts came in the
481:, beginning with an attack on May 17, 1948 by the
234:The land purchases in the Negev were made by the
431:
8:
682:
680:
308:The Farmer) and were planning to set up a
1219:Settlement schemes in Mandatory Palestine
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786:(in Hebrew). Israel Ministry of Education
426:Construction and development in 1943–1948
170:Historical background and early proposals
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422:of the area were limited to negligible.
715:
713:
711:
652:
562:Hydrological surveys were conducted by
278:, and the lookout was managed from the
7:
1171:(in Hebrew). Ariel Publishing House.
130:desert in 1943 on land owned by the
345:, but nothing came of the project.
301:
111:
16:Jewish settlements established 1943
1197:History of the War of Independence
530:Research and experiments conducted
394:Relations with non-Jewish elements
61:
14:
1176:Lehn, Walter; Davis, Uri (1988).
671:
369:Beit Eshel's close proximity to
60:
44:
28:
21:
29:
1199:(in Hebrew). Modan Publishing.
552:Hebrew University of Jerusalem
365:Contact with the outside world
180:1940 Land Transfer Regulations
45:
1:
1054:
1021:
522:soil. Revivim was built on a
285:in the north of the country.
1214:1940s in Mandatory Palestine
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1229:Southern District (Israel)
462:Halutza. 19 November 1947
358:11 additional settlements
126:settlements built in the
1180:. Taylor & Francis.
1178:The Jewish National Fund
582:Agricultural experiments
1195:Lorch, Netanel (1998).
672:Lehn & Davis (1988)
290:HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed
641:11 points in the Negev
606:financially feasible.
463:
446:uncommon at the time.
99:
91:
83:
690:(February 22, 2010).
487:Israel Defense Forces
479:1948 Arab-Israeli War
461:
454:1948 Arab–Israeli War
184:Mandate for Palestine
97:
89:
81:
688:Jewish National Fund
236:Jewish National Fund
132:Jewish National Fund
1035:"Mitzpe Beit Eshel"
491:Battle of Beersheba
176:White Paper of 1939
159:geophysical surveys
140:White Paper of 1939
138:and the subsequent
696:The Jerusalem Post
538:Scientific surveys
483:Muslim Brotherhood
464:
253:, in Wadi Shiniq (
116:Shloshet HaMitzpim
100:
92:
84:
1187:978-0-7103-0053-9
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1037:. Eretz Magazine
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784:"Kibbutz Gvulot"
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507:Beersheba Stream
351:Palestine pounds
343:Beersheba Stream
303:
272:HaShomer HaTzair
145:These lookouts,
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32:
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25:
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430:Other than the
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255:HaBesor Stream
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204:Eliezer Kaplan
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104:three lookouts
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401:Negev Bedouin
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276:Rishon LeZion
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240:Negev Bedouin
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230:Land purchase
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122:) were three
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38:
24:
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1055:Lorch (1998)
1050:
1039:. Retrieved
1029:
1022:Lorch (1998)
1017:
975:
963:
906:
894:
882:
788:. Retrieved
778:
751:
739:
727:
699:. Retrieved
667:
655:
631:and others.
617:
608:
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561:
549:
541:
533:
504:
476:
465:
448:
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432:agricultural
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329:Water supply
318:
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200:Arthur Rupin
196:
174:The British
173:
144:
119:
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112:שלושת המצפים
103:
101:
1148:Kark (2003)
1133:Kark (2003)
1121:Kark (2003)
1106:Kark (2003)
1094:Kark (2003)
1082:Kark (2003)
1070:Kark (2003)
1010:Kark (2003)
995:Kark (2003)
980:Kark (2003)
968:Kark (2003)
956:Kark (2003)
941:Kark (2003)
926:Kark (2003)
911:Kark (2003)
899:Kark (2003)
887:Kark (2003)
875:Kark (2003)
860:Kark (2003)
843:Kark (2003)
828:Kark (2003)
813:Kark (2003)
771:Kark (2003)
756:Kark (2003)
744:Kark (2003)
732:Kark (2003)
720:Kark (2003)
674:, pp. 61–64
660:Kark (2003)
477:During the
320:buildings.
251:Khan Younis
208:Yosef Weitz
136:Arab Revolt
1208:Categories
1165:Kark, Ruth
1041:2010-07-09
790:2010-07-09
722:, pp. 9–10
701:2010-06-11
647:References
625:eucalyptus
564:Leo Picard
436:Ness Ziona
384:Khan Yunis
220:Bir 'Asluj
155:Beit Eshel
82:Beit Eshel
69:Beit Eshel
1224:Kibbutzim
524:limestone
516:Beersheba
501:Geography
468:civil war
420:fellaheen
371:Beersheba
339:Beersheba
324:Logistics
316:instead.
216:Beersheba
1167:(2003).
1057:, p. 323
1024:, p. 111
635:See also
614:Forestry
568:salinity
283:Beit Gan
265:Founding
178:and the
1158:Sources
1150:, p. 49
1135:, p. 48
1123:, p. 42
1108:, p. 27
1096:, p. 26
1084:, p. 23
1072:, p. 21
1012:, p. 57
997:, p. 52
982:, p. 68
970:, p. 67
958:, p. 66
943:, p. 58
928:, p. 59
913:, p. 40
901:, p. 60
889:, p. 39
877:, p. 31
862:, p. 32
845:, p. 30
830:, p. 53
815:, p. 54
773:, p. 16
758:, p. 20
746:, p. 13
734:, p. 12
629:cypress
621:tamarix
600:legumes
596:oatmeal
511:Dangour
495:HaYogev
489:in the
472:Halutza
440:cannery
416:Mukhtar
412:Tarabin
408:Azzazma
376:Haganah
314:kibbutz
280:moshava
165:History
147:Revivim
120:Mitzpot
118:, also
98:Revivim
37:Revivim
1184:
662:, p. 4
592:barley
547:type.
310:moshav
298:Hebrew
259:Gvulot
244:dunams
192:Yishuv
186:. The
153:, and
151:Gvulot
124:Jewish
108:Hebrew
90:Gvulot
53:Gvulot
588:wheat
576:Rafah
545:loess
520:loess
518:, on
388:Rafah
302:היוגב
212:Rafah
188:Negev
128:Negev
1182:ISBN
598:and
574:and
572:Gaza
550:The
410:and
306:lit.
218:and
206:and
102:The
557:dew
1210::
1140:^
1113:^
1062:^
1002:^
987:^
948:^
933:^
918:^
867:^
850:^
835:^
820:^
799:^
763:^
710:^
694:.
679:^
627:,
623:,
594:,
590:,
497:.
378:.
304:,
300::
214:,
202:,
149:,
142:.
114:,
110::
1190:.
1044:.
793:.
704:.
296:(
106:(
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