Hankin, Yehoshua

(1864–1945)

   Yishuv pioneer. Hankin’s family emigrated to Palestine from the Ukraine in 1882, and his father was one of the founders of Rishon le-Zion. Yehoshua helped on the land and in repelling Arab marauders. Together with his father, he was among the leaders of the opposition to the administration of Baron Edmond de ROTHSCHILD. The family moved to Gedera in 1887. Hankin developed excellent relations with the Arabs and became the land-buying agent for the Jewish Colonization Association (ICA) and later for the Palestine Land Development Corporation (PLDC), of which he was the director from 1932. He acquired the tracts on which Rehovot and Gedera were built, and for the development of the Emek (Jezreel Valley) and parts of the Galilee. The moshav of Kfar Yehoshua in the Emek was named after him. His experiences are set out in his book, Jewish Colonization in Palestine (1940). Hankin, by then a famous pioneer, was Dr WEIZMANN’S guide on his first visit to Palestine in 1907. Weizmann wrote that Hankin knew every nook and corner of the country, and the history of every Jewish colony. Weizmann was depressed at the state of Zionist activities, and was grateful for Hankin’s confidence and cheerfulness.