Harel, Israel

Harel (Hebrew: הַרְאֵל‎, lit. Mountain of God) is a kibbutz in central Israel. Located near Latrun with an area of 12,000 dunams, it falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Yehuda Regional Council. In 2019 it had a population of 264.[1]

Sculpture by Igael Tumarkin at Kibbutz Harel
Harel

הַרְאֵל‎
Harel
Coordinates: 31°48′34.19″N 34°57′0.35″E
CountryIsrael
DistrictJerusalem
CouncilMateh Yehuda
AffiliationKibbutz Movement
Founded28 October 1948
Founded byDemobbed Palmach soldiers
Area
12,000 dunams (12 km2 or 5 sq mi)
Population
 (2019)[1]
264
 • Density22/km2 (57/sq mi)
Websitewww.kibbutzharel.co.il
Beit-Ha'Kshatot ("House of the Arches") where Meir Tobianski was executed (1948)

History

Kibbutz Harel established on 28 October 1948 on the land of the depopulated Palestinian village of Bayt Jiz.[2][3] It was named for the Harel Brigade of the Palmach, which its founders had been members of and the building from which Yitzhak Rabin commanded the Harel Brigade is located on the grounds of the kibbutz. Most of the founders were Sabras, although some were new immigrants from Hungary and Poland.[4]

A pre-Roman wine press was discovered in the kibbutz vineyards.[5]

Clos de Gat winery, established in 1998, produces around 90,000 bottles annually. The grapes come from 130 dunams of vineyards on the outskirts of the kibbutz.[6]

  • Arrival of material for construction of first buildings at Harel
  • The first barracks being assembled at Harel
  • Weatherproofing being fixed to the exterior of first cabins at Harel. 27 October 1948. Bayt Jiz visible in distance.
  • Members of the Yiftach Brigade celebrating the establishment of Harel
  • General view of Kibbutz Harel shortly after establishment

References
  1. "Population in the Localities 2019" (XLS). Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  2. Khalidi, Walid (1992). All That Remains:The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948. Washington D.C.: Institute for Palestine Studies. p. 365. ISBN 0-88728-224-5.
  3. Morris, Benny (2004). The Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem Revisited. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. xxi. ISBN 978-0-521-00967-6.
  4. About Us Kibbutz Harel
  5. Wineries Eshet Incoming
  6. Clos de Gat Winery Go Israel
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