District Southern Affiliation Kibbutz Movement Website beeri.kibbutz.org.il Local time Wednesday 1:19 AM | Council Eshkol Population (2015) 996 Founded 6 October 1946 | |
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Founded by HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed members Weather 18°C, Wind SE at 13 km/h, 47% Humidity | ||
Kibbutz be eri long loop
Be'eri (Hebrew: בְּאֵרִי, lit. My well) is a kibbutz in southern Israel. Located in the north-western Negev desert near the border with the Gaza Strip, it falls under the jurisdiction of Eshkol Regional Council. In 2015 it had a population of 996.
Contents
Map of Be'eri, Israel
History
Beeri established on 6 October 1946 as one of the 11 points in the Negev. It was located near Wadi Nahabir, a few kilometres south of Be'erot Yitzhak. Its founders were members of the HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed movement, who had been preparing in Maoz Haim, as well as some Hebrew scouts. It was named after Berl Katznelson, as Be'eri was his literary name.
In 1947 Be'eri had a population of over 150, and before the 1948 Arab–Israeli war the settlers were engaged in land reclamation and tree planting. The group was enlarged by a number of young pioneers from Iraq who arrived by desert trek. According to a report from the Jewish National Fund in 1949, "For many months the Kibbutz was completely isolated but the settlers held their ground until the liberation of the Negev in October, 1948."
After Israeli independence in 1948, the kibbutz was moved three kilometres south-east to its present location. It has traditionally been one of Israel's wealthiest kibbutzim. However, since the start of the Second Intifada, it has suffered from Qassam rocket attacks and combat near the Israel–Gaza barrier eight kilometres away.
The kibbutz has hosted many volunteers over the years, including Michele Bachmann, who worked there in 1974.
Landmarks
About four kilometers to the north lies the ANZAC Monument, commemorating the ANZAC soldiers who died in the Third Battle of Gaza in World War I.
Sports
The kibbutz's basketball team, Hapoel Be'eri, plays in Liga Leumit.