Nearly a century after it was founded, Israel's first and most famous kibbutz has voted to give up its early socialist ideals and to privatise itself...

In the past the 320 members of the kibbutz saw their salaries paid into a communal account and then received free services and an allowance based on need, usually determined by the size of their families. In future they will be paid varied salaries based on ability not need and, most importantly, they will be allowed to keep them. In return they will have to pay for services such as electricity and water and they will have to pay a progressive income tax into the kibbutz which will be used to support the least well off...

In the past few decades there has been a gradual relaxation of the original communal ideals. Residents have paid for their own electricity for some years, since it was a way to cut costs. Not all members of the kibbutz still work the land, and many are employed outside in industry and business, until now contributing their high salaries back into the coffers of the kibbutz.