Beekeepers Ensure Honey Supply for Jewish New Year Amid Conflict

On a blisteringly hot and humid day, with the aftermath of an unseasonable rainfall still lingering in the air, Roni Karlinsky was diligently ensuring his bees had enough water for their hives near the Gaza border.

At 72, Karlinsky embodies a lifetime of commitment to beekeeping, a profession that has become increasingly challenging amidst the ongoing tensions in the region.

“Bees feed on sugars and protein,” he explained as he gestured towards a nearby tamarisk tree, poised to flower soon. “They find the sugars in pollen, according to the seasons.”

His keen understanding of the natural world highlights the intricate relationship between beekeeping and the environment, underscoring how vital it is to adapt to seasonal changes.

“In the spring, it’s the citrus and avocado trees and the eucalyptus that provide the pollen,” he noted. “We move the hives according to the season.”

Karlinsky’s journey as a beekeeper began in his youth at the Kfar Silver youth village in southern Israel, where he first encountered the apiary.

After teaching at a boarding school for years, he embraced beekeeping full-time upon retirement nearly two decades ago.

His hives are situated just outside the fence of Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south of Ashkelon, where he has resided since 1982.

Honey Production Amidst Conflict

Yad Mordechai is known across Israel as the country’s largest honey producer. Today, the kibbutz’s honey factory operates under the ownership of the Strauss food conglomerate, which holds a 51 percent stake, while the kibbutz retains the remaining shares.

Despite the ongoing conflict, both the Agriculture Ministry and Yad Mordechai have assured the public that honey supplies will remain stable for the upcoming Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, beginning on Wednesday evening.

Oriana Tubul, the factory’s CEO since January 2023, confirmed, “We’ve had enough for Rosh Hashanah for a few months already.”

Her reassurance speaks volumes about the resilience of the industry in the face of adversity. The factory’s operations remain crucial not only for honey production but also for the livelihoods of many local families.

Karlinsky’s kibbutz-owned hives contribute to a network of 4,000 hives across the country that supply honey to the factory, which also purchases from around 60 private suppliers.

Most honey is harvested between April and May, and the factory processes approximately 2,000 tons of honey annually.

In Israel, honey consumption averages around 6,000 tons each year, while domestic production, including that of Yad Mordechai, totals about 4,500 tons.

The remainder is imported, primarily from Spain. Ido Dvir, the factory’s manager of agricultural raw materials, noted that the most significant disruptions to honey production occurred in northern Israel, where near-daily attacks by Hezbollah have devastated local vegetation critical for bees.

“There’s damage, but not to the extent that will cause us a shortage,” he stated confidently, emphasizing the factory’s ability to weather the storm.

Community Resilience and Togetherness

In the immediate aftermath of the violent events that unfolded on October 7, Tubul focused on supporting the factory’s workforce of 40 employees, along with another 15 staff members dedicated to the apiary.

Within days of the attack, she coordinated efforts to relocate stored honey to safer facilities in central Israel, demonstrating her commitment to both the business and her team.

“We loaded the factory’s stored honey onto four trucks, driving along backroads to spirit the golden material to storage,” she explained.

The factory reopened on November 11, and despite the challenges, many employees returned gradually. “People came back gradually. They were pleased to be active,” Tubul shared.

“Some of our managers were evacuated but returned to work anyway. There were many booms [from IDF tank fire], and we finished early so people could get home before dark.”

Karlinsky, reflecting on the community’s spirit, remarked on the profound sense of togetherness that has emerged amid the turmoil.

“There was a great feeling of togetherness,” he noted, emphasizing the strong bonds formed during such trying times. “I am so full of admiration for the people who work here. There’s a glue here, something very strong.”

Challenges in Beekeeping

As the season progressed, future queen bees required careful nurturing, spending time in incubators at temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and 70% humidity.

However, on that fateful October day, Karlinsky received an alert about a power failure in the apiary. Rushing to investigate, he found himself navigating an increasingly perilous situation.

Living so close to Gaza, he was no stranger to the sounds of conflict—rockets and gunfire often punctuated the air. Yet, this time was different.

“They knew what was happening in Netiv Ha’asara,” he recalled, referring to the nearby moshav where Hamas gunmen had just murdered 22 residents.

The kibbutz security team instructed him to leave the apiary, which was positioned near one of the kibbutz gates, just minutes before terrorists breached the area.

The security forces, supported by Border Police, successfully repelled the attack, killing 37 Hamas gunmen at the kibbutz gates without any casualties among the residents.

However, elsewhere, the violence resulted in the tragic loss of over 1,200 lives, along with 251 kidnappings, many of which remain unresolved.

Sadly, the attack also had a devastating impact on Karlinsky’s bees; future queen bees did not survive the chaos. Yet, in the weeks following the incident, beekeepers and factory staff returned to work.

Karlinsky noted, “We improvised and grew more queen bees” as they relocated approximately 1,000 hives north to Kibbutz Harel in the Jerusalem corridor, demonstrating the adaptability and determination of the beekeeping community.

Karlinsky returned to Yad Mordechai in November, reflecting on the psychological toll the conflict had taken on the community and their bees.

When asked whether he believed the bees reacted to the sounds of war, he confessed he had no definitive answers, stating, “It’s a subject for researchers.”

Historical Parallels and Community Legacy

Ido Dvir, a lifelong member of Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, carries the weight of a rich family history within the community.

His grandfather perished defending the kibbutz during the 1948 War of Independence, a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by previous generations. “Lots of kibbutz members have died during the wars. It’s part of the kibbutz history,” he reflected.

He noted the striking parallels between the events of 1948 and the October 7 attack, as both instances saw external forces threatening the kibbutz’s existence.

During the War of Independence, Egyptian forces conquered Yad Mordechai, leading to significant loss of life but ultimately slowing the advance of the Egyptian army toward central Israel.

The courage displayed by the kibbutz residents during the recent conflict was reminiscent of those historic struggles.

On October 7, their successful defense against Hamas gunmen prevented a potential incursion into central Israel, highlighting the ongoing resilience and strength of the community.

Looking Ahead

As the Rosh Hashanah holiday approaches, the people of Yad Mordechai prepare to celebrate despite the challenging circumstances.

The honey harvested from Karlinsky’s hives and others like it serves not only as a symbol of prosperity but also as a testament to the community’s unwavering spirit.

Despite the harsh realities of living near the Gaza border and the ongoing conflict, Yad Mordechai stands as a beacon of resilience.

The local beekeeping community, exemplified by Karlinsky and Dvir, continues to adapt and thrive, ensuring that the sweetness of honey remains a cherished part of Israel’s cultural landscape, even in the face of adversity.