District Southern Affiliation Kibbutz Movement Population (2015) 644 | Council Hof Ashkelon Founded 20 May 1950 Local time Friday 6:27 PM | |
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Founded by Hashomer Hatzair members Weather 17°C, Wind N at 16 km/h, 78% Humidity | ||
Karmia (Hebrew: כַּרְמִיָּה) is a kibbutz in southern Israel. Located between Ashkelon and the Gaza Strip, it falls under the jurisdiction of Hof Ashkelon Regional Council. In 2015 it had a population of 644.
Contents
Map of Karmia, Israel
History
Kibbutz Karmia was established on 20 May 1950 by a Nahal gar'in of Hashomer Hatzair members from France and Tunisia who had been trained in Beit Zera. It was established around a school which had been built by the British authorities for the Arab village of Hiribya, which was depopulated during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Its name is derived from the Hebrew for vineyard (Hebrew: כרם, Kerem), which were common in the area.
In 1972 a blanket factory was established in the kibbutz.
The kibbutz absorbed 54 families from Elei Sinai and Nisanit, which were evacuated as part of the disengagement plan. Since 2006 it has been repeatedly hit by Qassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, including one that landed on its football pitch, and another Qassam rocket that landed inside a house and injured 3 people severely in 2005.