Rahat was established in 1972 – it is composed of different tribes and the largest among them is the Al-Huzayl tribe. Rahat includes 34 neighborhoods, and an expansion neighborhood.
One of the special characteristics of Rahat, the first and largest Bedouin city in Israel (and in the world!) is that each neighborhood consists of members of one family.
Rahat constantly expands and renovates. It has an area of about 21,000 dunam, and about 60,000 residents, more than 30% of the entire Bedouin population in the Negev. Rahat also has a Bedouin peripheral area, of about 15,000 people.
The residents of Rahat integrate with the daily lives of the state, in all areas. A few of the residents work in the city, while others are employed in the neighboring settlements – cities, Moshavim and Kibbutzim.
Rahat is a commercial center for everyone, and it has great things to offer its visitors.
The municipality of Rahat employs local Bedouins, Jews from the Negev, and from all around the country, side by side, for years. Rahat features a new and modern residential area, with a heavy industrial zone, shared by Rahat, Lehavim and the neighboring regional council, Bney Shimon.
Rahat is an Israeli city and its residents are extremely hospitable. In the daily lives there is a constant coexistence of Jews and Bedouins with all that regards to shopping, shared businesses, traditional social events, special occasions, weddings, etc.
