In a synagogue presentation I did about Herzl a number of years ago, I mentioned the various organizations that purchased land in the Land of Israel in anticipation of the future Jewish state. Someone in the audience with a puzzled expression then said: “Bought land? I thought the Jews just came and took it.” Wow, I thought. This basic fact is not known to some in our own community. “Yes,” I replied, “the Jews bought land.”

Within the 1948 borders of the State of Israel, 8,6% was land purchased by Jews and 70% was effectively “crown land” of the British Mandatory authority that reverted to Israeli control when the British left. About half the land owned by Jews was purchased by the Jewish National Fund. There were also other groups and organizations that purchased land, including those in the Achooza movement.

An Achooza (literally, holding or........

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