Zikim

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This article is about the Israeli kibbutz. For the Israel Defense Forces base near it, see Bahad 4.
Zikim
Founded 1949
Founded by Romanian immigrants from Hashomer Hatzair
Region northern Negev
Industries Agriculture, polyurethane
Affiliation Kibbutz Movement
Website www.zikim.org.il

Zikim (Hebrew: זיקים‎) is a kibbutz in the northern Negev region of Israel. It is under the jurisdiction of Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. The original group of settlers graduated from the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement in Romania formed in 1947, and the kibbutz was established two years later, in 1949. At that time, Jewish settlement in the Negev was very sparse, and each new location was considered to be a "point of light" (zik) in the wilderness, accounting for the name.

Since it was established, the kibbutz has attracted new immigrants affiliated with the HaShomer HaTzair movement from around the world, most recently from South America. Zikim now has a population of about 330. The main crops are mango and avocado, and it is also home to one of Israel's largest dairy farms. The main industrial product is polyurethane, produced by the kibbutz's Polyrit factory.

Kibbutz Zikim has gained some recognition as the as the farming community the actor Bob Hoskins worked as a volunteer in 1967.

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