Kibbutz Tzeelim is located in the Negev desert and maintains a cooperative lifestyle. In recent years, the kibbutz has embraced tourism with a country lodge, tents and camping complex, a hotel, a hammam and more, and serves as a great base for trips in the area.
Visit Kibbutz Tzeelim
The kibbutz was called Tzeelim by the founding members who came to the Negev in 1947, saw some trees that reminded them of the biblical Cylon trees and decided to name their kibbutz after the trees. Later, the army established a large base near the kibbutz, initially called “Balish”, and today its official name is “Samaria Base” (Shomron Base) – but over the years the unofficial name given to the base is the Tzeelim Base.
But… those biblical Cylon trees were in fact Acacia trees (Shitim trees in Hebrew). And so, the story of Kibbutz Tzeelim could have very easily been the story of Kibbutz Shitim.
And the adjacent Samaria base? It isn’t in Samaria at all, but in the Negev (named after the 13th Chief of Staff, Dan Shomron).
Photos: Kibbutz Tzeelim
