Merhav Am

Merhav Am מֶרְחַב עַם‎
Etymology: Nation's Expanse
Merhav Am Merhav Am
Coordinates: 30°53′14″N 34°49′44″E
Country	Israel
District	Southern
Council	Ramat HaNegev
Founded	2001
Founded by	Or Movement
Population  (2022)	516

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 2022 it had a population of 516.

History

Merhav Am was founded by the Or Movement on 1 November 2001 and had a population of around 30 families by November 2006, many living in caravans.

The original name 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).

External links

• Official website (in Hebrew)