Afik (Hebrew: אֲפִיק) is an Israeli settlement organized as a kibbutz in the Golan Heights. It was established in 1972 close to the abandoned Syrian village of Fiq following Israel's capture and occupation of the Golan Heights in the 1973 Yom Kippur War.[3] In 2022, it had a population of 387.[1].
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights illegal under international law, while the Israeli government disputes this.[4]
Etymology
Afiq literally means channel, riverbed. The name is derived from the Arab name Fiq and the ancient Biblical city Afeq.[5]
Economic branches include agriculture (seasonal vegetables, pulses, and fruit orchards), dairy cattle and chicken coops. The kibbutz also operates several factories in partnership with Yifat such as Afic Printing Solutions, which produces toners and ink cartridges. Afik shares ownership of Hamat Gader, a hot mineral springs health resort, with three other kibbutzim. Another source of employment is the Orhan Afik guesthouse.[citation needed]
Notable people
Shimon Sheves (born 1952), Israeli political strategic advisor
^A Nahal settlement by the name Afiq was established some 4 km to the N East in 1967. Kibbutz Afiq was established as a civilian locality in its current place in 1972, but it is still listed on the Israeli records as a 1967-established locality.