Ein Harod

Ein Harod ( _he. עין חרוד) was the first kibbutz in Israel. It was located in northern Israel near Mount Gilboa. It is notable for being built near the battlefield of Ayn Jalut (the Arabic name for Ein Harod), a battle of huge macro-historical importance where the Mongols were defeated for the first time, in 1260.

Founded by pioneers of the Third Aliyah in 1921 on a tract of land near Ma'ayan Harod (Harod Spring), the kibbutz moved to a permanent location at the foot of Kumi Hill in 1931. In 1952, in the wake of ideological differences between supporters of the two main socialist parties, Mapai and Mapam, the kibbutz split, creating two separate kibbutzim:

*Ein Harod (Ihud) (affiliated with Mapai and belonging to Ihud HaKvutzot veHaKibbutzim)
*Ein Harod (Meuhad) (affiliated with Mapam and belonging to HaKibbutz HaMeuhad)

Today both kibbutzim belong to the same movement, the United Kibbutz Movement. [ [http://www.gemsinisrael.com/e_article000002628.htm Ein Harod Meuchad] Gems in Israel, February 2004]

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