Gilat

For the Israeli company, see Gilat Satellite Networks.

Gilat גִּילַת‎
Gilat
Coordinates: 31°19′43″N 34°39′0″E
Country	Israel
District	Southern
Council	Merhavim
Affiliation	Moshavim Movement
Founded	1949
Founded by	Tunisian Jews
Population  (2022)[1]	1,551

Gilat (Hebrew: גִּילַת, lit. 'Joy') is a moshav in southern Israel. Located in the western Negev desert between Beersheba and Ofakim, it falls under the jurisdiction of Merhavim Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 1,551.[1]

History

The moshav was founded in 1949 by Jewish refugees from an Arab country, Tunisia. Like the names of two other moshavim (Tifrah, Ranen) in the area its name was taken[2] from the Book of Isaiah 35:2:

(The desert,) it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.

Notable residents include Aharon Uzan, a government minister between the 1960s and 1980s, and Pini Badash, a former Knesset member.

References

1. "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
2. Carta's Official Guide to Israel and Complete Gazetteer to all Sites in the Holy Land. (3rd edition 1993) Jerusalem, Carta, p. 167, ISBN 965-220-186-3