Ashalim

Infobox_Kibbutz
kibbutz_name = Ashalim
foundation = 1979
founded_by =
region = Negev
council = Ramat HaNegev
industry =
affiliation =
website =

Ashalim ( _he. אֲשָׁלִים) is a small communal settlement in southern Israel. Located in the Negev desert about 35 km south of Be'er Sheva and on the eastern side of Nahal Besor, the largest stream in the Negev, it falls under the jurisdition of Ramat HaNegev Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 271.

The new Ashalim was founded as moshav shitufi in 1979 after moving from Bir Asluj Hill close to Golda Park (a nearby artificial lake). It was named after the original village of Ashalim, one of three nahal settlements founded between Mashabei Sadeh and Nitzana in 1956. The name itself means Tamarixes, a genus of shrubs and small trees. Today Ashalim functions as a communal settlement.

In 2008 construction began on three solar power plants near the village; two thermal and one photovoltaic. [ [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1008854.html Solar energy could raise electricity prices] Haaretz, 6 August 2008]

Kfar Adiel, a village for students of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, was founded near Ashalim by the Ayalim Association, whose objective is to establish settlements for students and small entrepreneurs in the Negev and the Galilee.

References

External links

* [http://eng.negev-net.org.il/HTMLs/article.aspx?C2004=12616&BSP=12606 Ashalim] Negev Information Center