ABSTRACT
At the beginning of the Second World War when a system of food rationing and control was introduced, the agricultural settlements were apprehensive that Hamashbir Hamercazi, the central supply institution, might not be able to carry out its functions as effectively as before because of the new conditions, over which, of course, it had no control. One of the results was the association of groups of settlements in making joint purchases, which they were able to do at lower prices and better conditions of credit. Structurally these associations were based upon geographical proximity and grouping-affiliation. In this way the ‘buying organization’ was set up by seven neighbouring villages in Hefer Valley and Samaria. The organization proved successful and other settlements began to join. After twenty years it comprised thirty-eight kibbutzim, situated between Haifa and Tel Aviv. Today it is called ‘The Hefer Valley and Samaria Settlements Organization’, but it goes beyond these two areas, embracing six regional councils. It is no longer confined to a single movement, and the associated settlements belong to four kibbutz movements, while one is ‘unaffiliated’.
