District Northern Affiliation Kibbutz Movement Population (2015) 591 | Council Lower Galilee Founded 1944 Local time Thursday 3:30 AM | |
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Founded by HaNoar HaOved graduates Weather 12°C, Wind S at 2 km/h, 93% Humidity | ||
Beit Keshet (Hebrew: בֵּית קֶשֶׁת, lit. House of the Bow) is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located to the east of Nazareth, it falls under the jurisdiction of Lower Galilee Regional Council. In 2015 its population was 591.
Contents
Map of Beit Keshet, Israel
Etymology
The name Beit Keshet is derived from 2 Samuel 1:18 in the Bible: "...teach the children of Judah the use of the bow," a reference to the battles of Deborah, who is said to have lived in the area.
History
Beit Keshet was established in 1944 by HaNoar HaOved youth, who were trained at the Kfar Tavor agricultural school. During the founding of the kibbutz, a group of immigrants who were a part of the Youth movement HaMahanot HaOlim and graduates of the Kadoorie Agricultural High School joined the kibbutz. According to the Jewish National Fund, more than half of the original group had served with the Jewish forces during the Second World War.
By 1947, Beit Keshet had a population of over 100. During the 1948 Arab–Israeli war Lebanese and Syrian troops attempted to capture Beit Keshet and nearby Sejera in fighting the Jewish National Fund refers to as "fierce." On 16 March 1948 seven members of the kibbutz were killed during the battle of Beit Keshet. Among them was Eli, the son of Rachel Yanait and Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, the future second president of Israel. The story of the founding of the kibbutz and the battle is depicted in the theatre play "An Israeli Love Story" by Pnina Gary.