Happy TravellerWelcome to Netivot, a city in the Southern District of Israel located between Beersheba and Gaza. Founded in 1956 and named after the bible verse ‘All her paths are peace’ (Proverbs 3:17), Netivot has a rich history and a growing population of 42,039 as of 2021. Despite facing challenges such as high unemployment and frequent missile attacks from Gaza, the city has much to offer to both locals and tourists.
One of the major landmarks of Netivot is the tomb of the Baba Sali, a Moroccan-born kabbalist who is buried there. The city is also known for being the home of Jewish mystics and a popular pilgrimage site, with thousands of pilgrims visiting Baba Sali’s tomb every year.
Netivot has a diverse demographic makeup, with a significant number of immigrants from Morocco, Tunisia, Russia, and Ethiopia. The city’s educational system is well-established, with 22 schools and 4,243 students in total. Netivot schools have been chosen for a special pilot project in which elementary school children build their own mini-robots. The city also hosted a robotics festival sponsored by the international organization FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.
Netivot is accessible by Highway 34, Highway 25, and Route 232, and has a railway station that connects it to Tel Aviv and Beersheba. The city is also home to a number of local newspapers and successful nightclubs that attract young people from neighboring towns and cities such as Ashkelon, Beersheba, and Sderot.
Looking to the future, Netivot has plans to build two additional neighborhoods with a total of 3,600 new housing units, expected to double the city’s population. Two large supermarkets are also planned for the city, in addition to the seven already built there. The city’s industry is primarily focused on food processing, metals, plastics, and construction sectors, with 24 plants and factories located in a nearby industrial park and an additional 15 factories located in the city.
Come and explore the rich history and vibrant culture of Netivot, Israel, a city that has overcome adversity and continues to thrive.
