Merhav Am

Merhav Am
מֶרְחַב עַם‬
Merhav Am
Coordinates: 30°53′14.22″N 34°49′43.55″E / 30.8872833°N 34.8287639°E / 30.8872833; 34.8287639Coordinates: 30°53′14.22″N 34°49′43.55″E / 30.8872833°N 34.8287639°E / 30.8872833; 34.8287639
District Southern
Council Ramat Negev
Founded 2001
Founded by Or Movement
Population (2017)[1] 448

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 2017 it had a population of 448.[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. 1 2 "List of localities, in Alphabetical order" (PDF). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
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