01In brief
Meitav (Hebrew: מיטב; officially transliterated by the Central Bureau of Statistics as Metav) is a moshav in the Taanach Region of the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. Founded in 1954, it is represented by the Gilboa Regional Council and is affiliated with Tenu'at ha-Moshavim. A 1956 National Library of Israel photograph titled "Guides in Moshav Meitav" provides an early visual record of the community.
02Overview
Meitav lies in Israel's Northern District and Yizre'el Subdistrict; its natural region is identified as the Yizre'el Basin.[2][4] Its Hebrew name is listed as מיטב, its official English transliteration as Metav, its locality code as 2054, and its municipal affiliation as the Gilboa Regional Council.[2]
The locality-type code classifies Meitav as a moshav or collective village.[4] It is also listed in the Jezreel Valley's Taanach Region as a moshav represented by the Ha-Gilboa Regional Council.[1]
The National Library of Israel's place index lists Meitav as a place in Israel and includes a photography category for the settlement.[5]
03History
Meitav was established in 1954.[1][2] A historical locality table marks the 1948 population field with a dash, consistent with the settlement's establishment six years later.[4] Its recorded affiliation is TM, identified in the table key as Tenu'at ha-Moshavim.[1]
An archival photograph titled "Guides in Moshav Meitav" is dated 1956 and belongs to the Bitmuna collection, from the Sturman House Archives Collection in the Pritzker Family National Photography Collection.[3] The record credits Nadav Mann of Bitmuna, identifies one online source for the item, and states that the item contains no textual content.[3]
04Demographics
Historical locality figures record 382 residents in 1961, 489 in 1972, 418 in 1983, and 310 in 1995.[4] On 31 December 2004, the recorded population was 347.[1]
In 2022, Meitav had 456 residents, including 449 listed as Jewish; the Arab-population field was left blank.[2] The figures show a decline after 1972 followed by a later recovery, while the settlement remained a small, predominantly Jewish community.
Sources
- 1Encyclopedia.com, Land of Israel: Population, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 2Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, 2022 Localities File, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 3National Library of Israel, Guides in Moshav Meitav (1956), accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 4Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, Israel CBS, Localities, Geographical Characteristics and Population, accessed on September 24, 2026.
- 5National Library of Israel, accessed on September 24, 2026.
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
What is Meitav, Israel?
Meitav is a moshav located in the Taanach Region of the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. Founded in 1954, it is affiliated with Tenu'at ha-Moshavim and is represented by the Gilboa Regional Council. The Central Bureau of Statistics officially transliterates its name as Metav.
Where exactly is Meitav located within Israel?
Meitav lies within Israel's Northern District and Yizre'el Subdistrict, with its natural region identified as the Yizre'el Basin. It is situated in the Jezreel Valley's Taanach Region.
What is the history of Meitav's population over time?
Meitav's recorded population was 382 residents in 1961, rising to a peak of 489 in 1972, before declining to 418 in 1983 and further to 310 in 1995. By 31 December 2004 it had recovered slightly to 347, and by 2022 it stood at 456 residents, of whom 449 were listed as Jewish.
What is the earliest known photographic record of Meitav?
The earliest known photographic record of Meitav is a 1956 image titled "Guides in Moshav Meitav," which belongs to the Bitmuna collection from the Sturman House Archives Collection in the Pritzker Family National Photography Collection. The photograph is credited to Nadav Mann of Bitmuna.