01In brief
Revaya (Hebrew: רוויה; CBS transliteration: Rewaya) is a moshav in Israel's Northern District, in the Jezreel subdistrict and under the jurisdiction of the Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council. It is located near the Jordan River, and its watermelon fields are discussed in the context of Beit She'an Valley agriculture. Official locality data list 1952 as its establishment year and record 459 residents in 2022. In 1970, residents held a week-long demonstration outside the Knesset building in Jerusalem, demanding government help with local problems.
02Overview
Revaya is officially classified as a moshav, and its Hebrew name is רוויה.[2] The English transliteration "Rewaya" appears under locality code 2016; official locality data place the community in the Northern District, Jezreel subdistrict, and Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council.[1] Revaya lies close to the Jordan River, and its watermelon fields are discussed in the context of the Beit She'an Valley harvest.[3]
03History
Revaya was established in 1952.[1] In 1970, residents of the moshav demonstrated outside the Knesset building in Jerusalem for an entire week, seeking government assistance with local problems.[4]
The event is cataloged in the Dan Hadani Archive as item 06176, with reference code ARC. 4* 1995 07 06176.[4] The catalog classifies it as a series record and lists Hebrew and English among its languages.[4] Its caption reads: "Residents of Moshav Revaya Village, demonstrating the whole week outside the Knesset building, demanding some help in the local problems thay face."[4]
04Demographics
In 2022, Rewaya's recorded population was 459. Of these residents, 455 were classified as "Jews and Others," with all 455 also recorded as Jews; three were recorded in the Arab category.[1] The figures indicate that the community's recorded population was overwhelmingly Jewish.
05Economy and Culture
Watermelon cultivation is a substantial local agricultural activity. In June 2024, a Revaya agricultural company was cultivating around 124 acres of watermelons, and the local harvest season was described as running from mid-May to mid-June.[3]
At the season's peak, one grower said his operation needed 21 workers but had 10 unskilled workers, whose productivity was lower than that of the Palestinian workers previously employed.[3] The labor shortage followed the events of October 7, 2023, which left Palestinian laborers unable to enter and also disrupted Israel's agricultural workforce more broadly.[3]
Sources
- 1Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, Localities File 2022 (accessed September 18, 2026)
- 2Government of Israel, 2014 License Holders Reporting List (accessed September 18, 2026)
- 3Ynetnews, War leaves farmers watching crops rot in fields (accessed September 18, 2026)
- 4The National Library of Israel (accessed September 18, 2026)
IsraelPedia Question & Answers
What is Revaya?
Revaya is a moshav in Israel's Northern District, located in the Jezreel subdistrict and under the jurisdiction of the Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council. It lies near the Jordan River, was established in 1952, and recorded 459 residents in 2022.
Why did Revaya residents demonstrate outside the Knesset in 1970?
Residents of Revaya demonstrated outside the Knesset building in Jerusalem for an entire week in 1970, demanding government assistance with local problems they faced. The event is cataloged in the Dan Hadani Archive.
What are the demographics of Revaya?
Revaya's recorded population in 2022 was 459 residents. Of these, 455 were classified as Jews and Others, with all 455 also recorded as Jews, and three were recorded in the Arab category, making the community overwhelmingly Jewish.
What role does watermelon farming play in Revaya's economy?
Watermelon cultivation is a substantial agricultural activity in Revaya. In June 2024, a local agricultural company was cultivating around 124 acres of watermelons, with the harvest season described as running from mid-May to mid-June.
How did the events of October 7, 2023 affect agriculture in Revaya?
The events of October 7, 2023 left Palestinian laborers unable to enter and disrupted Israel's agricultural workforce more broadly, creating a significant labor shortage in Revaya. At the peak of the watermelon harvest season, one grower reported needing 21 workers but having only 10 unskilled workers, whose productivity was lower than that of the Palestinian workers previously employed.