There is a restored "Tower and stockade" structure next to the gate of Kibbutz Negba.

 

“Tower and Stockade” is a name for the operation to establish 52 fortified Jewish agricultural settlements in pre-state Palestine in response to the bloody events which took place between 1936 and 1939, primarily in outlying areas away from the central Jewish Yishuv. The operation was a solution for security needs and aimed at establishing a physical presence at different locations, and to extend the borders of the areas populated by Jews. It was designed to impact on the future map of Eretz Israel, and thereby circumnavigating the "White Paper" which limited Jewish settlement.

 

Creation of the settlements required rapid work, and construction was achieved within just a 24 hour period. Everything needed for the construction was prepared ahead of time. Construction of the fortified camp had to be completed before the British army arrived, or before the armed Arab gangs managed to attack the settlers. A wall of wooden slats, with gravel between them, for protection against the enemy’s bullets, was constructed overnight. Inside the wall huts, defense positions and an observation tower, with a searchlight at the top, were set up – hence the name “Tower and Stockade”.

 

As part of the operation activities in this region, Kefar Menahem was established on July 27 1937, and Negba was established on July 12 1939.

 

 

11 Points
 

11 settlements were established in the extensive community building operation in the northern Negev, on the night after Yom Kippur 5707, between October 5 and 6, 1946, initiated by the Jewish Agency. The goal of the operation was to create a situation whereby the Negev would be included in the future borders of the Jewish state.

 

Establishment of the communities was based on the "Tower and Stockade" method.

 

Kibbutz Gal'on and Kedma (which was later abandoned) were established in this way.