Kafr Kanna

Infobox Israel municipality
name=Kafr Kanna

---

imgsize=250
caption=A postcard from 1925 depicting Kafr Kanna
hebname=כַּפְר כָּנָּא
arname=كفر كنا
maening="Village of Cana"
founded=
type=lc
typefrom=1968
stdHeb=
altOffsp=Kafar Kanna
altUnos=Kufr Kana
district=north
population=17,600
popyear=2005
area_dunam=10600
areak=10.6
mayor=

Kafr Kanna ( _ar. كفر كنا, "Kafr Kana"; _he. כפר כנא, "Kefar Kanna") is an Arab town in the Galilee region of Israel that is associated with the New Testament village of Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine [ [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/942512.html The near-miracle in Kafr Kana] ] .

History

The settlement of "Kana" was mentioned in the Amarna Letters, and was known in the times of the Roman-Jewish historian Josephus. As with many Jewish towns in the Galilee, the town took in Jewish refugees fleeing Roman persecution in Jerusalem and Judea [ [http://www.israel-mfa.gov.il/MFA/Israel+beyond+politics/Excavations+uncover+Galilee+village+of+Kana+19-Dec-2004.htm Excavations uncover Galilee village of Kana] ] . The village flourished in the 16th century, as it lay on the trade route between Egypt and Syria.

Religious significance

The town is identified by Christians as the town of Cana, where Jesus performed a miracle at the Marriage at Cana. According to the "Catholic Encyclopedia" of 1914, a tradition dating back to the 8th century identifies Cana with this town.

The town also contains the tomb of the Jewish sage, Rabbi Shimon ben Gamliel, the Nasi (prince) of the Sanhedrin (legislative body of Ancient Israel), who became president of the Sanhedrin in 50 CE.

Demographics

Kafr Kanna achieved local council status in 1968. In 2005, there were 17,600 residents, [ [http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2007/table3.pdf Population of localities numbering above 1,000 residents and other rural populations on 31/12/2006] Central Bureau of Statistics] 83.5% of whom were Muslim and 16.5% Christian.

port

Maccabi Kafr Kanna currently play in Liga Artzit, the third tier of Israeli football, and have played at the second level in the past. Hapoel Kafr Kanna play in Liga Alef (the fourth tier), and Beitar Kafr Kanna play in Liga Bet (the fifth tier)

Notable residents

*Jamal Zahalka, resident, Knesset member, Balad party.
*Wasil Taha, resident, Knesset member, Balad party.
*Abdulmalik Dehamshe, resident, former Knesset member, United Arab List.

ee also

*List of Arab localities in Israel

References

External links

* [http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1144549772&men=gpro&lng=en&dat=32&srt=npan&col=ahdq&geo=441921535 Kafar Kanna on World Gazetteer]
*PDFlink| [http://www.adva.org/socialreport2001english.pdf Israel: A Social Report]