Rosh HaNikra, Israel

Infobox_Kibbutz
kibbutz_name = Rosh HaNikra
foundation = 6 January 1949
founded_by = Demobilised Palmach members
region = Western Galilee
council = Mateh Asher
industry = Agriculture, tourism
affiliation = Kibbutz Movement
website = [http://www.rosh-hanikra.com/default.asp?lan=eng www.rosh-hanikra.com]

Rosh HaNikra ( _he. ראש הניקרה, lit. "Head of the Grottoes") is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located on the Mediterranean coast near the Rosh HaNikra grottoes and the border with Lebanon, it falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Asher Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 746.

History

The kibbutz was established on 6 January 1949 by demobilised Palmach members. These gar'in were initially based in kibbutz Hanita, and were joined by assorted members of Zionist youth movements and young Holocaust survivors. At the start of the 21st century the kibbutz was privatised.

The coastal rail line used to continue from the Nahariya Train Station to Lebanon by way of Rosh HaNikra where there was a bridge and railway tunnel. Built by Australian, New Zealand and South African troops during World War II in order to move troops and supplies in the area during the Syria-Lebanon campaign, it was part of the Haifa-Beirut-Tripoli line. Israeli forces bombed the rail bridge during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and the remnants of this line can be seen at Rosh HaNikra where a virtual "train ride to peace" movie is shown inside the sealed tunnel that used to go into Lebanon.

Economy

The kibbutz grows bananas and avocadoes, and raises turkeys and other domesticated animals. In 1974, kibbutz members founded a biotechnology company called Rahan Meristem, which included the first commercial tissue culture laboratory in the country.

External links

* [http://www.rosh-hanikra.com/default.asp?lan=eng Kibbutz website]
* [http://www.jafi.org.il/education/noar/sites/roshhan.htm Rosh HaNikra] Jewish Agency