Natur (Israeli settlement) explained

Natur
Foundation:1980
District:north
Region:Golan Heights
Council:Golan Regional Council
Affiliation:Kibbutz Movement
Pushpin Map:Syria Golan#Israel Golan
Pushpin Mapsize:250
Pushpin Label Position:top
Coordinates:32.8533°N 35.7536°W

Natur (Hebrew: נָטוּר) is an Israeli settlement in the southern Golan Heights. The settlement was established as a kibbutz in 1980, after Israel occupied the area in the 1967 Six Day War. In, it had a population of settlers.

The international community considers Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.[1]

History

Natur was established in 1980 by high school graduates from kibbutzim affiliated with the Hashomer Hatzair movement.[2] In 2007 it converted from a kibbutz to a moshav. Membership at that time was nearly 200 people.[3] Natur is a mixed religious-secular community.[2]

Archaeology

In 1984, several dolmens were excavated in Natur near the kibbutz chicken coops. Numerous stone heaps were documented in the area, along with terraces, walls and circular animal pens, some of which may date from ancient times.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: The Geneva Convention. BBC. December 10, 2009.
  2. http://www.haaretz.com/once-a-kibbutz-not-always-a-kibbutz-1.166205 Once a kibbutz, not always a kibbutz
  3. News: Natur is third kibbutz in last 100 years to become moshav . Ashkenazi . Eli. . December 25, 2007 . December 20, 2009.
  4. http://www.hadashot-esi.org.il/Report_Detail_Eng.aspx?id=8493 Excavations and Surveys in Israel