Karmia
established
Regional Council
Population (Pre 7/10/2023)
Distance From The Gaza Border
Type Of Community
Economy
Kibbutz Karmia was established by Hashomer Hatzair members from France and Tunisia. Its name is derived from the Hebrew word for vineyard (כרם or kerem) which were common in the area. In 1972 the kibbutz began manufacturing quality blankets and “Karmia Blankets” became a very well-known brand. Although the factory was sold, over the years the community has continued to provide a warm and welcoming “blanket” of support to groups in need. For example, in 2005, after the Israeli evacuation of the Gaza Strip, the kibbutz absorbed 54 families from settlements in Gaza which were evacuated as part of the disengagement plan. In the same year, the “Eden” boarding school for abused girls was also established on the kibbutz. This boarding school provides for the needs of teenage girls ages 12 – 18 from all over the country who have been removed from their families by the courts.
Kibbutz Karmia’s solar project is one of the largest projects producing clean energy in the Gaza envelope.
KKL-JNF and Kibbutz Karmia
The Events of October 7, 2023
Kibbutz Karmia was mercifully spared the atrocities of other Western Negev communities. On the Friday evening before the attack, an activity was held in the kibbutz for which many of the residents slept on the central lawn of the kibbutz. So when the surprise attack began on that fateful Saturday morning, they quickly gathered to a shelter together in the safe rooms of the children’s home, which was guarded by their security chief Alexis Hass and the civil defense team. Haas received constant updates on what was happening in nearby communities such as Netiv Ha’asara, Zikim and Yad Mordechai, and prepared for combat. Fortunately, the Hamas terrorists were arrested in Zikim and at the Yad Mordechai intersection before reaching Kibbutz Karmia. The residents stayed in the protected areas for many hours until they received permission from the IDF to evacuate in the afternoon.
