Nevatim

(Israel Twitter)Nevatim, נְבָטִים‎‎, is a moshav in southern Israel. Located in the northern Negev desert around 8 km (5 mi) south-east of Beersheba, it falls under the jurisdiction of Bnei Shimon Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 629.

The nearest settlements are the Bedouin towns of Tel as-Sabi to the north and Shaqib al-Salam to the south. At a greater distance to the northeast lies Nevatim Israeli Air Force Base, named after the moshav.

History

Nevatim was originally established in 1946 by immigrants from Hungary as one of the 11 points in the Negev, its name taken from the Tanakh. In the 1948 Arab-Israeli War the surrounding area, including the city of Beersheba, was conquered by the Egyptian Army.

The Egyptians besieged Nevatim, along with the neighboring village of Beit 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.

Although both were dismantled after the war, Nevatim was re-established at a slightly different location in 1954. The new settlers were drawn from the Cochin Jews who had immigrated from Kochi, India.

Economy

About half of Nevatim's workers are employed in the village, primarily in agriculture, while the rest work in the nearby industrial areas of Beersheba, Dimona and Ramat 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.

The moshav's synagogue is a duplicate of one in Cochin, and incorporates some elements of the original building, and it is also home to a cultural center and museum about the Jews of Cochin. A restaurant serving Cochini food and pastries also caters to tourists. The community also boasts a swimming pool and a mikvah.