Ramot Naftali

Ramot Naftali ( _he. רמות נפתלי) is a moshav in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel, near Israel's border with Lebanon. It belongs to Mevo'ot HaHermon Regional Council.

The community is named "Ramot Naftali" (hills of Naftali) because it is located in the mountains of Naftali, which was originally in the land owned by the Tribe of Naphtali.

History

The community was founded in 1945 by a group of agricultural workers called "Bnei Peled" who were sent by national agencies to guard the land and prepare it for agriculture. After the end of World War II arrived the first group of discharged soldiers from two groups, "Wingate" and "HaMitnadev", who organized for settlement before they had joined the army.

The community was built around the fortress of Ramot Naftali, which was established together with the fortresses Biria and Hukuk in 1945 as part of the defense of the British army in northern Israel, and in collaboration with the Jewish Agency. The fortresses were built by the construction company Solel Boneh. The fortress today is part of a nearby army base, and it is used for guard-watching.

During the Israeli War of Independence the community was under fire for a long time, and it served as the focus of decisive battles from Lebanon. Only after Operation Hiram did the attacks in the region cease.

In August 1963 a new nucleus of founders went to Kedesh Naftali, after the dispersal of the original members of the moshav. In the community two families remained from the first founding nucleus: Eliezer and Batya Kaufman and their three children, and the Adler family. Along with seven founders were: Ra'anan Na'im, Rafael Albo, Yitzhak Sabag, Freddy Preinteh, Hananya Dadush, Zevulun Kohen and Ilan Zarka. The nucleus was composed mostly of young couples from moshavim, who had left Morocco, Tunisia and Libya. The initiative was successful, and many people joined together with the founding nucleus: Yuval Hermoni, Zevulun Kohen, the brothers Moshe and Hayyim Alon, Meir Halb, and some single men such as David Avitan, and many others.

The settlers lived first in abandoned houses of the first nucleus atop the mountain, but within three years new houses were built at the foot of the mountain, which eventually were expanded.

Economy

The moshav is known for growing apples, peaches and grapes. The grapes of Ramot Naftali are considered excellent by experts, and they are sold to the finest wineries in the land. The moshav has some boutique wineries, including Amram Winery of the vintner Amram Azulai. Some members of the moshav make their living by tourism or growing fowl.

People

The people of Ramot Naftali are known for their contributions to the Paratroopers Brigade and to elite army units. Eitan Blahsan, a commander of Sayeret Tzanhanim, was born in Ramot Naftali, and was killed in a battle in Lebanon. Army members had high hopes for him and thought he might someday rise to Chief of Staff (Ramatkal). Mitzpe Eitan was erected as a memorial near the moshav, overlooking the Lebanon mountains and his parents' house.

Nearby places

Near Ramot Naftali are the following communities: kibbutz Malkia, Kibbutz Yiftah, and moshav Dishon.

The community is located next to Metzudat 28, a compound of the British Mandate, where 28 fighters were killed when it was captured during the War of Independence.

External links

* [http://www.bet-alon.co.il/info/city_details.php?city_id=410 Ramot Naftali on the Yigal Alon website]