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Nir Am

Coordinates: 31°31′10″N 34°34′51″E / 31.51944°N 34.58083°E / 31.51944; 34.58083
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Nir Am
ניר עם‎
Nir Am in 1950
Nir Am in 1950
Etymology: Nation Meadow
Nir Am is located in Northwest Negev region of Israel
Nir Am
Nir Am
Nir Am is located in Israel
Nir Am
Nir Am
Coordinates: 31°31′10″N 34°34′51″E / 31.51944°N 34.58083°E / 31.51944; 34.58083
Country Israel
DistrictSouthern
CouncilSha'ar HaNegev
AffiliationKibbutz Movement
Founded19 August 1943
Founded byBessarabian Gordonia members
Area
20,000 dunams (20 km2 or 8 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)[1]
726
 • Density36/km2 (94/sq mi)
Websitewww.nir-am.org.il

Nir Am (Hebrew: נִירְעָם, ניר עם, lit. 'Nation Meadow') is a kibbutz in southern Israel. Located next to Sderot and around two kilometres from the Gaza Strip, the kibbutz covers 20,000 dunams. It falls under the jurisdiction of Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 726.[1]

History

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The village was established on 19 August 1943 by immigrants from Bessarabia who were members of the Gordonia youth movement, including Zvi Guershoni, later a member of the Knesset. Over the years the kibbutz has also absorbed immigrants from Argentina, France and South Africa. During the 1948 war it was the headquarters of the Negev Brigade.[2] In a report written in March 1948 by Yaakov Riftin investigating abuses in Haganah and Palmach units, it emerged that an Arab was seized, tortured and killed.[3]

During 2023 Hamas attack, Nir Am was one of few villages near Gaza that avoided casualties due to the quick action of its security team, which managed to repel attacks by Hamas gunmen. The team was led by Inbal Rabin-Lieberman, the village's security coordinator who planned the defense, and included a retired Israeli special forces soldier living in the village.[4][5][6]

  • Nir Am 1947
    Nir Am 1947
  • Palmach Pilots at Nir Am, 1948
    Palmach Pilots at Nir Am, 1948
  • Kibbutz Nir Am after fighting in 1948
    Kibbutz Nir Am after fighting in 1948
  • Kibbutz Nir Am during Operation Yoav, October 1948
    Kibbutz Nir Am during Operation Yoav, October 1948

Economy, culture and landmarks

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Museum of Water and Security in the Negev
Nir Am Reservoir, with the town of Beit Hanun in the Gaza Strip in the background

An innovative work area was created in Kibbutz Nir Am (Incubator),[7] Offices and workplaces for rent to start-ups, small companies in high-tech activities).

The Museum of Water and Security in the Negev is located at Nir Am, next to Mekorot's Nir Am reservoir.

The Assaf Siboni Scenic Lookout and memorial, at a vantage point near the Nir Am Reservoir, offers excellent views of the Gaza Strip and especially of Jabalia.[8]

Notable people

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  • Zvi Guershoni (1915–1976), Israeli politician, co-founder of the kibbutz in 1943
  • Baruch Kamin (1914–1988), Israeli politician, member of the Knesset for Mapai (1953–55)
  • Adam Neumann (born 1979), Israeli-American businessman, co-founder of WeWork
  • Inbal Rabin-Lieberman (born 1998), security coordinator

References

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  1. ^ a b "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ^ "דף הבית". Archived from the original on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  3. ^ Ofer Aderet, 'Why Is Israel Still Covering Up Extrajudicial Executions Committed by a Jewish Militia in '48?,' Haaretz 7 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Defenders of Kibbutz Nir Am say they killed 2 terrorists Saturday, preventing takeover". The Times of Israel. 9 October 2023.
  5. ^ "In Ofakim, one woman's graceful bravery offers precious solace to a grieving nation". The Times of Israel. 10 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Ex-soldier fought off Hamas and saved kibbutz neighbours". BBC News. 12 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Innovation Center".
  8. ^ Assaf Siboni Scenic Lookout at KKL-JNF website. Accessed Sep 2021.
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