Zikim

Zikim (Hebrew זיקים ) is a kibbutz in southern Israel with about 416 inhabitants ( 2008). It is located on the Mediterranean Sea, 8 km south of Ashkelon and only 3 kilometers north of the Gaza Strip.

History

The kibbutz was founded in 1949 by immigrants from Romania members of the socialist- Zionist Hashomer Hatzair youth organization. In the following years, based mainly on immigrants from South America. In recent years Zikim was repeatedly fired from the Gaza Strip Qassam rockets. On 11 September 2007 a ​​befindliches at Zikim training camp of the Israel Defense Forces was hit by a downed from Bait Lahiya rocket, while 50 soldiers were injured. To protect itself against missile strikes, shelters and bus stops were in the kibbutz built of concrete and almost every house with a concrete cultivation, similar to a bunker provided.

Economy

In Zikim especially mangoes and avocados are grown and operated one of the largest dairies in Israel. Also at the kibbutz heard the internationally operating company Polyrit, which specializes in the production of polyurethanes.