NEGEV

Negev: translation

The triangular southern half of Israel. It extends fromBeer-shevasouth to the port ofEilaton theGulf of Aqaba. The Negev is a semidesert tableland from 1,000 to 2,000 feet (300 to 610 meters) above sea level. It has limestone mountains and flatlands and is covered by a layer of fertile loam that must have water to grow crops. The Israelis have farmed part of the Negev by irrigation with water brought through theNational Water Carrierfrom Lake Kin-neret (theSea of Galilee) through canals and pipelines. They have also mined phosphates and copper.Prime Minister ArielSharon's plan (2005) to disengage (see UNILATERAL DISENGAGEMENT [HITNATKUT, TOKHNIT HAHITNATKUT]) from theGaza Stripand from areas of the northernWest Bankincluded ideas for the significant development of sections of the Negev.