Zikim
established
Regional Council
Population (Pre 7/10/2023)
Distance From The Gaza Border
Type Of Community
Economy
Kibbutz Zikim was established in 1949 on land that had belonged to the depopulated Palestinian village of Hiribya by a group of young Romanian Jews who belonged to Hashomer Hatzair, the labor Zionist secular Jewish youth movement, before their arrival in Mandatory Palestine in 1947. Kibbutz Zikim attracted members of Hashomer Hatzair from around the world. The kibbutz was founded with the aim of strengthening the grip of the state of Israel on the border line with Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Jewish settlement in the Negev was rare at that time, and each new location was considered to be a “point of light” (zik) in the wilderness. Michael Harsegor, who later became an Israeli historian, came up with the name of the Kibbutz while imprisoned in Romania for Hashomer Hatzair activity. He translated a quote from Alexander Pushkin into Hebrew: “From sparks shall come a flame.”
There is a building at the kibbutz called, “Alami House,” which was built 100 years ago by the Alami family, a rich and influential Arab family from Jerusalem who used the house as a vacation home. This house is still called “the Arab house” by kibbutz members. One kibbutz member said that the fact that the Alami family’s link to the house is still recognized through its name provides hope for the future. “I believe that this house will serve as a possible meeting place between Palestinians and Israelis, not only due to its perfect location, halfway between Ashkelon and Gaza, but due to its past and the past of those who built it. The name is a declaration indicating that we’re not hiding from that past. We recognize history and clearly state – this is our place. It belongs to us now, but we remember what was here in the past and respect it.”
Kibbutz Zikim is a strong and cohesive community with a deep commitment to education. Recently, the kibbutz defined demographic growth as the main goal to be addressed in the coming years. Accordingly, the kibbutz is making a major effort to absorb young families from all over the country. Further, a community extension, “Nof Yam” is being established in Zikim.
KKL-JNF and Kibbutz Zikim
The Events of October 7, 2023
When Kibbutz Zikim was attacked by Hamas terrorists on Saturday, October 7, the local civil defense team fought back valiantly, saving the lives of the kibbutz residents. One member of the kibbutz civil defense team, Kobe, was alone on the road guarding the kibbutz when he suddenly encountered Hamas terrorists in a minibus. He shot at them, and prevented them from infiltrating the kibbutz. Other members of the kibbutz emergency squad came to reinforce him and they fought the terrorists for approximately one hour, ultimately killing all six terrorists. Two members of the kibbutz civil defense team were injured. One resident described Kobe’s heroism, noting that he “opened fire on the terrorists and thanks to this prevented the infiltration of the kibbutz with his body alone.”
