KKL-JNF, With the Help of Friends Worldwide, Transforms the Arava
It all started about 60 years ago, when people of vision, true Zionists, built their homes and raised their families in the Arava. These photographs speak for themselves, reflecting the Arava's accomplishments, which KKL-JNF helped make possible by preparing land for agriculture and housing; supporting R&D centers; building water reservoirs and security and agricultural roads; and creating tourism initiatives and facilities. All this, thanks to the dedicated support of KKL-JNF friends and partners in Israel and throughout the world. Dozens of families have joined the Arava's rural communities, where they enjoy a supportive social environment and a rich cultural life. Each day sees new developments; enthusiasm drives the Arava's wheels of activity. Photograph from the KKL-JNF Photo Archive, Jerusalem
1983. Kibbutz Shizafon established at the site failed to thrive. It was abandoned and Kibbutz Neot Smadar was established on its grounds. Photographer: Anonymous
2013. Kibbutz Neot Smadar is a flourishing community, an organic oasis in the heart of the desert. KKL-JNF supports the kibbutz extensively in the fields of water, agriculture and desert tourism. Photographer: Anonymous
1966. Building at Ein Yahav. Located halfway between Be'er Sheva and Eilat, Ein Yahav is one of the eight Central Arava Regional Council communities and the first moshav in the Arava. Pioneers attempted to settle Ein Yahav in the 1950s, but the community didn't really get off the ground until 1962. Photographer: Alex Strajmaister
2015. An eagle's eye view of Ein Yahav. With the help of KKL-JNF, the moshav cultivates crops marketed throughout the world. Produce includes organic grapes, figs and mangos as well as ornamental fish—impressive feats for a desert community. Photographer: Albatross Aerial Photography Ltd.
1965. Arava – Surveying before land preparation. Photographer: Wener Braun
2015. Ein Yahav – Hot houses and agricultural fields color the desert landscape with life and provide livelihoods for local residents. Photographer: Albatross Aerial Photography Ltd.
1951. Early attempts at agriculture in the Southern Arava. Photographer: Fritz Schlesinger
2011. Former President Peres at the Arava Open Day, Israel's largest agricultural exhibition and highlight event of agricultural research and development. We've come a long way! Photographer: David Grunshpan
1968. Packing house at Hatseva in the Central Arava. In 1968 Hatseva became a civilian moshav after three years as a NAHAL outpost. Photographer: David Hirschfeld
2012. Packing house at Hatseva. The Central Arava communities are an export empire of fresh vegetables. KKL-JNF is responsible for land reclamation for agriculture and its reservoirs provide the water used to irrigate the fields. Photographer: KKL-JNF photographers
1964. The NAHAL outpost at Kibbutz Yotvata became civilian in 1957. Dates were the first farming branch at the kibbutz. Photographer: Yehuda Hanegbi
2013. Date farming has developed in the Southern Arava thanks to the date palm’s adaptation to heat and brackish water found in the area. Many date plantations are irrigated with recycled water stored in reservoirs built by KKL-JNF. Photographer: KKL-JNF photographers
1965. A tomato field at En Yahav. En Yahav became a civilian settlement in 1962. Photographer: David Hirschfeld
2010. The same tomato field today. The Arava hothouses produce record yields of over 5 tons of tomatoes per acre. Photographer: Pnina Livny
1955. Eilat. A KKL-JNF bulldozer is clearing the desert land where Israel’s southernmost city was established. Photographer: Ephraim (Efren) Ilani
2006. The local landfill is now a fascinating bird park. Experts estimate that some 500 million birds migrate over Eilat every spring and autumn. Photographer: Yaakov Shkolnik
2003. The inhabitants of Sapir in the central Arava had a problem with high groundwater that was very hard to drain and dispose of. Photographer: Yehonatan Tomer
2009. KKL-JNF turned the problem into an opportunity. The groundwater became the basis for creating a lake surrounded by an attractive park for the benefit of local residents and tourists on their way to Eilat. Photographer: Ronen Vaturi
1970. Timna Park, in the southern Arava, is a rare natural and archaeological treasure. Visitors to the park can see copper mines and ancient smelting installations. Photographer: KKL-JNF photographers
2013. KKL-JNF developed the park and made into one of the major tourism sites in Israel. Park development was carried out while taking the utmost care to preserve the unique natural and historical values in the park. Photographer: Yossi Zamir
1968. The NAHAL outpost at Be’er Tsofar, soon after its establishment. Photographer: Dov Dafnai
2012. In 1976 the outpost of Be'er Tsofar was granted civilian status and became the cooperative farming village of Tsofar, which is located just north of the original outpost, while the Tsukim community was established at the site of the former outpost. KKL-JNF was responsible for Tsofar's housing infrastructure and sewage treatment management and continues to help in creating new tourism ventures. Photographer: Avi Hirschfield
1968. Ketura - Water! Photographer: Alex Strajmaister
2015. Ketura Sun, Israel's first solar field, covers 8 hectares (20 acres) on the southern edge of Kibbutz Ketura. The 18,500 photovoltaic solar panels produce 9 million kilowatt hours per year. Photographer: Albatross Aerial Photography Ltd.