Tze'elim

Tze'elim
[[Image: Egged Ta'avura bus route 376 at Tze'elim |250px]]
Hebrew	צֶאֱלִים
Founded	January 1947
Founded by	Eastern European and North African immigrants
Region	Negev
Affiliation	Kibbutz Movement
Coordinates	31°12′12.96″N 34°32′6.35″E
Tze'elim
Website	www.zeelim.co.il

Tze'elim (Hebrew: צֶאֱלִים‎‎) is a kibbutz in the Negev desert in southern Israel. It falls under the jurisdiction of Eshkol Regional Council and has a population of 418 in 2006. A military training base of the ground forces of the IDF (often named "Tze'elim Base" after the Kibbutz) is located near the Kibbutz.

History

The kibbutz was founded in January 1947 by gar'in from youth movements in Eastern Europe and North Africa, and was named for the abundant acacia trees in the area, which were mistakenly identified as the biblical Tze'elim trees. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War the kibbutz was used as a military base.

Economy

Today the kibbutz markets itself as a tourist destination, with a natural hot springs spa and accommodation. Other economic activities are agriculture and farming.

Transport

Tze'elim is linked to Tel Aviv by Egged Ta'avura bus route 376, and to Beersheba by Egged Ta'avura bus routes 30 (Regular) & 130 (Direct). Tze'elim is situated off highway 222, in the north-western Negev.

External links and references

• Official website (Hebrew)
• Tze'elim Negev Information Centre