Gilat

For the Israeli company, see Gilat Satellite Networks.

Gilat (Hebrew: גילת, 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]

Gilat גילת
Etymology: Joy
Gilat Show map of Northwest Negev region of Israel Gilat Show map of Israel
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

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 people

• Aharon Uzan (1924–2007), government minister
• Pini Badash (born 1952), Knesset member