Kibbutz Be’eri and Hatzerim Make First Post-October 7 Investment in Solar Energy

In a powerful act of renewal and forward-looking resilience, Kibbutz Be’eri and Kibbutz Hatzerim have announced their first major investment since the devastating Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. The two communities are partnering to acquire a 25% stake in Arava Power, one of Israel’s leading solar energy companies, in a deal valued at NIS 115 million ($35 million).

The move marks a significant milestone for Kibbutz Be’eri, whose residents have lived in temporary housing at Kibbutz Hatzerim since the massacre that claimed one-tenth of their community. Now, these two iconic Negev communities are investing in Israel’s renewable energy future.

Be’eri and Hatzerim will each contribute NIS 20 million ($6.15 million), while infrastructure fund Giza Singer Even will invest NIS 70 million ($21.5 million). The capital will be directed toward new shares in Arava Power, bringing fresh energy literally and figuratively into the firm’s next phase of growth.

“This is more than a business deal,” said a source close to the kibbutzim. “It’s a statement of purpose, a signal that Be’eri is not only rebuilding but investing in the future of Israel.”

Be’eri’s contribution stems from the earnings of its longstanding business operations, particularly its renowned printing press. Once a symbol of creativity and productivity on the Gaza border, the print house has now become a financial engine for postwar recovery.

Arava Power, established in 2007 at Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava desert, is no stranger to pioneering paths. The company built Israel’s first large-scale solar field and has grown into a leader in renewable energy with multigigawatt projects in both Israel and the United States.

The new investment also includes a secondary component: Giza’s fund will acquire an additional 5% stake in Arava Power from Phoenix Insurance for NIS 25 million ($7.7 million). Phoenix, which currently holds about 40% of the firm, is reducing its stake below 20% to comply with regulatory requirements ahead of a planned public offering.

Today, Arava Power’s ownership includes Kibbutz Ketura, private investors, the Jewish National Fund, and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. With this latest agreement, Be’eri and Hatzerim join that circle bringing both moral weight and financial support to a company that aligns with their vision for Israel’s sustainable development.

For Kibbutz Be’eri, this investment is deeply symbolic. Two years after experiencing one of the darkest chapters in Israeli history, the kibbutz is helping build a brighter, cleaner, and more secure future. In the sun-soaked fields of Israel’s south, energy and hope are rising once again.

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