Neve Ativ (), is an Israeli settlement organized as a small Alpine-styled moshav in the Golan Heights. Its located on the slopes of Mount Hermon, west of Majdal Shams.Israel & the Palestinian territories, p. 271, Lonely Planet Israel, Michael Kohn, Lonely Planet, 2007, , , accessed December 18, 2009 it falls under the jurisdiction of Golan Regional Council. In it had a population of .
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights illegal under international law, though the Israeli and United States governments dispute this.‘Golan Heights is part of northern Israel,’ White House says after Hezbollah attack The Jerusalem Post. 29 July 2024
Etymology The name Ativ is an acronym for four fallen soldiers from the Egoz Reconnaissance Unit killed in action in the Golan in 1968: Avraham Hameiri, Tuvia Ellinger, Yair Elegarnty, and Binyamin Hadad. Neve means Oasis.Fox, Mira. "Benjamin Netanyahu is on vacation — these protesters followed him there", The Forward, August 9, 2023. Accessed March 17, 2026. "Neve Ativ is named for four fallen soldiers, members of the Egoz combat unit who died during a 1968 operation. 'Neve' means home, or abode, and 'ativ' is an acronym for the fallen soldiers’ names: Avraham Hameiri, Tuvia Sherkenger, Yair Algranati and Binyamin Hadad."
History Israel and Syria fought major battles in the area in 1967 and 1973, and it remains a strategic military position.Israel handbook: with the Palestinian Authority areas, Footprint handbooks, Dave Winter, Footprint Travel Guides, 1999, , , accessed December 19, 2009 Neve Ativ was built on the land of the destroyed Syrian village of Jubata ez-Zeit., p. 151 It was founded in 1972, when the Golan region was a part of the Israeli Military Governorate, governed by military occupation system. In 1981, the area of Golan was unilaterally annexed by Israel.
In November 1996, a dining room in the settlement was set on fire and the walls on the building had "Down With the Occupation" and "The Golan Belongs to Syria" painted on them. Pro-Syrian Druze were believed to be behind it.
Economy The moshav's main industry is tourism. Since 1972, Neve Ativ has operated the nearby Mount Hermon ski resort,Safier, Dovi; Geberer, Yehuda. "Skiing on Sacred Snow", Mishpacha, January 7, 2025. Accessed March 16, 2026. "In 1972, the Israeli government transferred control of the skiing operation to the families of the newly established Neve Ativ alpine moshav on the slopes of Mount Hermon. The Neve Ativ residents continue to operate the site today." which has of ski runs on the southern slopes of Mount Hermon. The resort was destroyed in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, but re-opened the following year."Ski resort back in business," Chicago Tribune, March 7, 1975, accessed December 18, 2009
Transportation The Golan Regional Council operates three buses per day from Neve Ativ to the Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona. The bus line begins at El Rom, and also stops at Buq'ata, Mas'ade, and Majdal Shams. The bus ride to Kiryat Shmona takes approximately 22 minutes. Neve Ativ is located along Highway 989, which connects it to nearby Majdal Shams.
References
External links
Official website