IDF Veterans Establish 'Alona Farm' for PTSD Recovery and Security
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Israeli military veterans, including those with PTSD and injuries, are establishing Alona Farm near Jerusalem to aid in recovery and bolster national security. Co-founders Eליה שהם and מיכאל יכין, both severely impacted by combat, are leading the initiative to build a supportive community through agricultural work and strategic presence. The farm aims to provide a sanctuary for soldiers transitioning back to civilian life and serves as a vital security outpost overlooking key routes to the capital.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- IDF veterans are establishing Alona Farm near Jerusalem for PTSD recovery and security.
- The farm provides a sanctuary for soldiers transitioning back to civilian life after combat.
- Co-founders Eליה שהם and מיכאל יכין are leading the initiative, both veterans with trauma.
- The project aims to strengthen Israeli presence in a strategically vital area.
- Alona Farm involves agricultural work, construction, and security patrols.
- The initiative is seen as a 'positive revenge' against destruction and terrorism.
A group of Israeli military veterans, many wounded or suffering from PTSD, are establishing Alona Farm near Jerusalem as a sanctuary and a means of recovery. The farm, located on strategically vital state land, aims to provide a supportive environment for soldiers transitioning back to civilian life after combat, particularly in the wake of the October 7th attacks and the ongoing war. The initiative is driven by a desire for "positive revenge" and a commitment to strengthening Israeli presence in the area.
Co-founders Eליה שהם and מיכאל יכין, both veterans who experienced severe trauma and injuries during their service, conceptualized the farm as a place where soldiers can find purpose and healing through physical labor and community. שהם, who suffers from complex PTSD after his service in the elite Maglan unit, described the difficulty of transitioning from constant danger to civilian quiet. יכין, a 55-year-old reservist who was severely wounded in Gaza, views the farm as a constructive response to the destruction of October 7th, aiming to build rather than destroy.
Alona Farm is not just a therapeutic retreat but a functioning agricultural and security outpost. The founders, including other veterans like ארז זר, are actively involved in construction, farming, and security patrols. They are building structures, planting vineyards, and collaborating with nearby farms. The farm's strategic location, overlooking major routes to Jerusalem and previously held by the Jordanian army, is seen as crucial for national security. The founders believe the project transcends political divides, emphasizing its importance for all Israeli governments.
The initiative has garnered support from some local residents and the regional council, though it faces challenges including ongoing military service commitments of its founders and the need for further development. The farm's name, Alona, is a Hebrew adaptation of its previous Arabic name, Khirbet Alwina, and also aligns with the nearby neighborhood of Ramot Alon, named after Yigal Allon, further embedding it within Israeli national narrative.
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