Communal settlement (Israel)

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A communal settlement in Israel is type of settlement that in contrast to a Kibbutz or a Moshav involves no economic cooperation between the residents. Cooperation is on a societal level only - education, religious actives and public works for example - are decided based on communal decision making. Residents form a legal cooperative union that is recognised by the state as the local authority

Many communal settlements have a particular shared ideology or religious perspective that they with to perpetuate, while others are simply set up as a method of local government.

The first communal settlement in Israel was Neve Monosson, in Gush Dan which was established in 1953.

Many West Bank settlements are set up as communal settlements; there are also many such communities in the north of Israel.

To move to a communal settlement one must simultaneously join the cooperative. An interview and acceptance process is usual required to join the cooperative and move into the community.

While most communal settlements in Israel are relatively small (with a few hundred or thousand residents) some large Haredi towns such as Betar Ilit are designated as communal settlements to ensure that new residents can be screened.