Tel Hai is located at Israel's very northern
tip, between Kiryat Shmona and Metulla, (Israel's
northern most town). The fort, which was one of the
original four Jewish settlements in the Galilee,
overlooks the Hula Valley. If the brave pioneers at the
beginning of the last century had not had the fortitude
to withstand the hardships of the day, the Galilee as we
know it today, would never have become part of modern
day Israel. Not that the Jewish people didn't have a
history in the area. The tribes of Asher, Naftali
and Dan all inhabited this region. During the Second
Temple era as well as during the Talmud and Mishna
periods there was a thriving Jewish community in the
Galilee.
The grayish-black stones from which this fort
is built stand out in the Israeli countryside. The
red-shingled roof adds an element of quaintness and one
gets the feeling of a time-warp – or perhaps that the
whole structure belongs in a different, distant place.
The land known as Talha was purchased in 1893 by Baron
Edmond de Rothschild and in 1896 the first group of
farmers from Metulla began to cultivate the fields. The
fort of Tel Hai was originally built in 1907, as a
residence for these farmers. By 1912 the place was
abandoned and it wasn't until 1918 that it was resettled
and renamed Tel Hai by settlers from the Galilee Farmers
Union.
Tel Hai, Metulla, Hamrah, and Kfar Giladi
were the first four Jewish settlements in the Galilee.
After the (1916) Sykes-Picot agreement, the British,
French and Arab forces were all vying for control of the
area. According the secret Sykes-Picot agreement,
between France, Britain and Russia – the line which was
to separate the French-controlled area from the
British-controlled area would have crossed the center of
the Galilee. During this time, the Jewish settlements
kept a neutral stance and did not voice support for any
of the sides.
The British had actually conceded that the
Upper Galilee should be under French rule, but the Arabs
did not accept this view and at first attacked Metulla
and Hamrah, (which were evacuated) and later Tel Hai.
The 1919 Dubil
Agreement set the border between Rosh Hanikra and
Rosh Pina.
Tel Hai did not withstand the ensuing attack.
Within the Yishuv there were fierce arguments
whether the settlements in the Upper Galilee should be
abandoned or not. Interestingly, Zeev Zabotinsky was for
abandoning the settlements in the Upper Galilee – while
David Ben Gurion voiced the opinion that there was a
moral obligation to support and defend any place where
Jewish settlers worked the land. The deciding vote was
finally cast by Menachem Ussishkin (who was head of the
Jewish National Fund for 20 years).
Generations of Israelis have been brought-up
on the words which were said to have been uttered
by Joseph Trumpeldor (founder of the Zion Mule Corps),
as he lay dying, after the battle of Tel Hai, "Never
mind, it is good to die for one's country." To this
day, the battle that took place here 82 years ago is
marked on the 11th of the month of Adar as a
symbol of national heroism. Trumpeldor is the name most
often associated with Tel Hai, but seven others died
trying to defend the fort. Nearby Kiryat Shmona is so
named, in memory of the eight fighters who died at Tel
Hai.
As you walk around the fort you'll find
information about the battle in the 'battle room. As you
enter this room, make sure you go to the right and then
work your way to the left (otherwise things can be a bit
confusing). There is an audio visual presentation that
provides historical background and a collection of old
farm implements is on display. From time to time there
are even exhibitions by local artists.
A monument to the fighters of Tel Hai, a
large stone lion, sits near their graves, just up the
road from the fort. This spot also serves as a great
lookout point of the surrounding area. A small audio box
provides a history of Tel Hai (in various languages) –
so it's definitely worth stopping here. The lookout
point is just below Beit Ha'Shomer.
Directions: Tel Hai is located off Route #
90. Drive through Kiryat Shmona and turn left at the
sign for Tel Hai and Kfar Giladi.
04/695-1331 TEL
04/695-1331 FAX
Email:
mailto:telhai@galil-elion.org.il
Visiting Hours: Sunday-Thursday 8:00 AM
– 4:00 PM, Friday, Holiday eves and school vacations
10:00 AM- 5:00 PM
Entry fees: Adults,
18 NIS/pp, Children, Students, 15/NIS, Senior Citizens,
14 NIS/pp.
Note: Those of you, who venture this
far north, should also not miss the Tel Hai Museum of
Photography. Through June, there is a wonderful exhibit
by Erich
Lessing. The museum is located on the right
side of Route #90 – before the turn-off to the Tel Hai
fort.
