Nevatim
| |
|---|---|
 | |
| Etymology: Sprouts | |
  Nevatim  Nevatim | |
| Coordinates:31°13′25″N34°52′58″E / 31.22361°N 34.88278°E /31.22361; 34.88278 | |
| Country |  Israel |
| District | Southern |
| Council | Bnei Shimon |
| Affiliation | Moshavim Movement |
| Founded | 1946 |
| Founded by | Hungarian andCochin Jews |
| Population (2023)[1] | 1,137 |
| Website | nevatim.org.il |
Nevatim (Hebrew:נבטים,lit. 'Sprouts') is amoshav in southernIsrael. Located in the northernNegev desert around 8 km (5 mi) south-east ofBeersheba, it falls under the jurisdiction ofBnei Shimon Regional Council. In 2023 it had a population of 1,137.[1]
The nearest settlements are the Bedouin towns ofTel Sheva to the north andShaqib al-Salam to the south. 10 km (6 mi) to the south-east liesNevatim Airbase, named after the moshav.
Nevatim was originally established in 1946 byJewish olim fromHungary as one of the11 points in the Negev, its name taken from theTanakh. In the1948 Arab–Israeli War the surrounding area, including the city of Beersheba, was briefly captured by theEgyptian Army.[citation needed]
The Egyptians besieged Nevatim, along with the neighboring village ofBeit Eshel which was destroyed and subsequently abandoned. Nevatim managed to hold on throughout the siege, as the villages received air-dropped supplies and most Egyptian efforts were concentrated on continuing northwards.[citation needed]
Although both were dismantled after the war, Nevatim was re-established at a slightly different location in 1954 byCochin Jews, who hadimmigrated fromKochi,India.[citation needed]
About half of Nevatim's workers are employed in the village, primarily in agriculture, while the rest work in the nearby industrial areas ofBeersheba,Dimona andNeot Hovav. Local employment has gradually diversified, especially into the tourism and service, a move sustained by the moshav's guest houses and the Cochin heritage center.[citation needed]
The moshav'ssynagogue is a duplicate of one inCochin, and incorporates some elements of the original building. It also houses a cultural center and museum about the Jews of Cochin. A restaurant serving Cochini food and pastries caters to tourists. The community also has a swimming pool and amikvah.
In May 2017, an extension of the railway fromBeersheba toArad viaKuseife was approved. The line would connect to the existingBeersheba-Dimona rail line at a proposed new rail station at Nevatim.[2]
