Merhav Am
| Merhav Am מֶרְחַב עַם | |
|---|---|
  Merhav Am | |
| Coordinates: 30°53′14.22″N 34°49′43.55″E / 30.8872833°N 34.8287639°ECoordinates: 30°53′14.22″N 34°49′43.55″E / 30.8872833°N 34.8287639°E | |
| District | Southern |
| Council | Ramat Negev |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founded by | Or Movement |
| Population (2015)[1] | 333 |
Merhav Am (Hebrew: מֶרְחַב עַם, lit. Nation's Expanse) is a religious community settlement in southern Israel. Located in the Negev desert between Yeruham and the kibbutz of Sde Boker, it falls under the jurisdiction of Ramat HaNegev Regional Council. In 2015 it had a population of 333.[1]
Etymology
The original name for the settlement was intended to be Halukim due to its proximity to the Halukim Hills (the nearest road junction is called the Halukim Junction). However, after around a year it was renamed Merhav Am, inspired by the wide open area in which it was to be built, as well as in honour of Rehavam Ze'evi, a former Minister who was assassinated in 2001: In Hebrew Merhav (מרחב - MRHV) means "wide open spaces" whilst Rehavam is spelt using the last three letters of the word plus two more (רחבעם - RHVAM). Combining the two gives Merhav Am (MRHV+AM).
History
The village was founded by the Or Movement on 1 November 2001 and had a population of around 30 families by November 2006, many of them living in caravans.
References
- 1 2 "List of localities, in Alphabetical order" (PDF). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
External links
- Official website (in Hebrew)