Gevim (Hebrew: גֵּבִים, lit. Cisterns) is a kibbutz in southern Israel. Located in the northwestern Negev desert near Sderot, it falls under the jurisdiction of Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 619.[1]

Gevim
גבים
جيفيم
Gevim is located in Ashkelon region of Israel
Gevim
Gevim
Coordinates: 31°30′27″N 34°35′55″E / 31.50750°N 34.59861°E / 31.50750; 34.59861
CountryIsrael
DistrictSouthern
CouncilSha'ar HaNegev
AffiliationKibbutz Movement
Founded1947
Founded byPalmach members
Population
 (2022)[1]
619

History

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The kibbutz was established in 1947 under the name Sde Akiva. The founding members were from the Palmach and had previously been members of HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed. It served as a headquarters for the Israel Defense Forces during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and was later renamed Gevim.

During the 2000s, the kibbutz suffered from the repeating Qassam rocket attacks, with damage to buildings and minor injuries to residents. Based on an interview with the community manager of the kibbutz, the Goldstone Report on the Gaza conflict stated that sixty percent of the kibbutz children received psychological counselling.[2]

Economy

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In addition to agriculture, the kibbutz has a plastics factory. Poleg Plastic Industries operates two plants, one on the kibbutz and the other in Leipzig, Germany. The company is jointly owned by Kibbutz Gevim and Poli-Film Group, a private German company.[3]

The kibbutz is located near Sha'ar HaNegev school and Sapir Academic College.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ^ The Goldstone Report: The Legacy of the Landmark Investigation of the Gaza Conflict
  3. ^ Terror takes its toll as Kibbutz Gevim's Poleg looks to add a new line, but not in Israel Globes