Gideon Naor, Pioneer of Southern Israeli Settlements, Dies at 97
Dr. Gideon Naor, a prominent public figure known for his contributions to the establishment and development of southern Israeli communities, has passed away at the age of 97. Naor was a founder of Kibbutz Gevim and a fighter in the Negev Brigade of the Palmach. Throughout his life, he held several senior public positions, including head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council and the first head of Kiryat Gat's local council.
Born in Czechoslovakia in 1929, Naor immigrated to Mandatory Palestine with his family in 1939. In August 1947, he arrived in the Negev and was among the founders of Kibbutz Gevim. He later served in the Negev Brigade during the 1948 War of Independence. In 1955, he was elected head of the Sha'ar HaNegev Regional Council, during which time Sderot began to develop within the council's jurisdiction. Naor is also considered the "first mayor of Sderot" for his role in managing municipal services and employment promotion there before the city established its own independent administration.
Naor then moved to Kiryat Gat, serving as the chairman of its settlement committee starting in 1958. When Kiryat Gat became a local council, he was elected its first head, serving two terms until 1965. At 29, he was the youngest local authority head in Israel at the time. During his tenure, Kiryat Gat focused on development, absorbing immigrants, and creating employment opportunities. He was also a proponent of the "Development Towns Bloc," aimed at strengthening these communities, and became their first representative on the Local Authorities' Center.
After pursuing a doctorate in social sciences and local government in the United States, Naor returned to Israel and continued a public and managerial career. He held positions including deputy director-general of the Ministry of Labor, deputy director-general of Shikun Ovdim, director-general of the Israel Export Institute, and marketing manager for Polgat's local supermarket chain. He also worked at the Center for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and published academic works on local government.
In 2001, Naor founded the "NMG" association to raise awareness for early diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration, a condition that affected his own vision. He led the volunteer organization for 18 years, providing information, guidance, support groups, and rehabilitation assistance. Recently, Naor was honored with the "Yakir Ha'Ir" (City Honoree) award by Kiryat Gat for his contributions. He requested to be buried in Kiryat Gat, where he led the city in its early years. His funeral is scheduled for Friday, September 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the Kiryat Gat cemetery.
