Rahat
Encyclopedia
Rahat is a predominantly Bedouin
city in the South District
of Israel
. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics
(CBS), at the end of 2009 the city had a total population of 51,700. As such, it is the largest Bedouin settlement in the world, and the only one in Israel to have city status
.
and from then on (until 1994) it was a local council
(administered by a private board until 1989). In 1994 it was recognized as a city—the first Bedouin city in Israel.
s but one is a mixed-clan neighborhood. Between every neighborhood, there is a wadi
. The city also has a market, public and commercial services, neighborhood parks, public areas, women's employment centers, children's play areas, and several mosque
s.
without significant Jewish population (see also: Population groups in Israel). As such, it is the largest Bedouin settlement in Israel.
According to CBS, in 2001 there were 16,300 males and 16,100 females. The population of the city was spread out with 65.2% 19 years of age or younger, 15.8% between 20 and 29, 12.0% between 30 and 44, 4.7% from 45 to 59, 0.9% from 60 to 64, and 1.4% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was 5.9%.
Bedouin
The Bedouin are a part of a predominantly desert-dwelling Arab ethnic group traditionally divided into tribes or clans, known in Arabic as ..-Etymology:...
city in the South District
South District (Israel)
The Southern District is one of Israel's six administrative districts, and is the largest in terms of land area as well as the most sparsely populated. It covers most of the Negev desert, as well as the Arabah valley. The population of the Southern District is 1,002,400. It is 86% Jewish and 14%...
of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics
Israel Central Bureau of Statistics
The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , abbreviated CBS, is an Israeli government office established in 1949 to carry out research and publish statistical data on all aspects of Israeli life, including population, society, economy, industry, education and physical infrastructure.It is headed by a...
(CBS), at the end of 2009 the city had a total population of 51,700. As such, it is the largest Bedouin settlement in the world, and the only one in Israel to have city status
City council (Israel)
A City council is the official designation of a city within Israel's system of local government.City council status may be granted by the Interior Minister to a municipality, usually a local council, whose population surpasses 20,000 and whose character is urban, defined as having areas zoned for...
.
History
Rahat was established in 1972, by the government of Israel, as a new settlement for Bedouins who lived in the surrounding area without permanent domicile. Until 1980, Rahat was part of the Bnei Shimon Regional CouncilBnei Shimon Regional Council
The Bnei Shimon Regional Council , is a regional council in the northern Negev in the south of Israel. Most of its territory lies north of Beersheba and the rest bounds Beersheba on the west and east sides as well. The eastern border of this territory straddles the Green Line.There are 13...
and from then on (until 1994) it was a local council
Local council (Israel)
Local councils are one of the three types of local government found in Israel, with the other two being cities and regional councils. As of 2003, there were 144 local councils in Israel, these being settlements which pass a minimum threshold enough to justify their operations as independent...
(administered by a private board until 1989). In 1994 it was recognized as a city—the first Bedouin city in Israel.
Design
The city has a total of 33 neighborhoods. All but one of the neighborhoods consist entirely of separate Bedouin clanClan
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. The kinship-based bonds may be symbolical, whereby the clan shares a "stipulated" common ancestor that is a...
s but one is a mixed-clan neighborhood. Between every neighborhood, there is a wadi
Wadi
Wadi is the Arabic term traditionally referring to a valley. In some cases, it may refer to a dry riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain or simply an intermittent stream.-Variant names:...
. The city also has a market, public and commercial services, neighborhood parks, public areas, women's employment centers, children's play areas, and several mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s.
Demographics
According to CBS, in 2001 the ethnic makeup of the city was almost completely ArabArab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
without significant Jewish population (see also: Population groups in Israel). As such, it is the largest Bedouin settlement in Israel.
According to CBS, in 2001 there were 16,300 males and 16,100 females. The population of the city was spread out with 65.2% 19 years of age or younger, 15.8% between 20 and 29, 12.0% between 30 and 44, 4.7% from 45 to 59, 0.9% from 60 to 64, and 1.4% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was 5.9%.
| Population | 1983 | 1995 | 2000 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | 9,200 | 22,456 | 30,653 | 40,000 |