Kibbutz Gat is located about 3 km. northeast of Qiryat Gat, at the west end of route 353, around 5 km. after the turn from highway 40 .
Its name comes from the Philistine city of Gat, which was located in the area.
The kibbutz was founded on Tu Beshvat 5702, February 2 1942. The kibbutz founders were members of the National Kibbutz – Hashomer Hatsa’ir movement who came from Poland, Yugoslavia and Austria.
During the War of Independence (1948) the kibbutz was under siege, and was fired on and houses were destroyed. The children were evacuated. In 1949, after the Faluja Pocket was cleared, the children returned and huts were erected. The rehabilitation of the kibbutz began in 1950. The" Hahotzvim" (Quarriers) and "Nitzanim" (Buds) youth groups arrived and later, in 1950, a Brazilian group of 70 members were accepted to the kibbutz.
The kibbutz has developed over the years
In 1988 the kibbutz decided to change to family accommodation, and in the middle of 2000 the kibbutz underwent a transformation: it was privatized and became a “renewing kibbutz”, i.e. each person was responsible for his or her own living, although the kibbutz provides a “safety net”. Today the kibbutz is financially stable.
Its earnings are mostly based on:
The Ganir plant, a plant that produces juices and concentrates, include Primor products. The plant was established in the area by members of Kibbutz Gat and Kibbutz Beit Nir.
Agriculture: field crops, an orchard, a cowshed (owned jointly with Kibbutz Palmahim).
Small businesses: Gat Catering, Eitani Gat (senior citizens’ home), Dorbanot Hakessef – a horse riding school, La Terra Promessa Vineyards (some of the businesses rent the premises).
Work outside the kibbutz.
Today the kibbutz has around 540 inhabitants – members and residents. The kibbutz is currently expanding. 20 out of 28 new housing units in the new area have already been occupied. There are also 41 homes built on the kibbutz independently, and the owners have been accepted as kibbutz members
In 1997 the Sedot Yo'av primary school was opened at Kibbutz Gat, as a regional school of the Yo'av Regional Council.
