District Northern Area 5.2 km² | Founded 1953 Local time Saturday 4:38 AM | |
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Weather 13°C, Wind N at 6 km/h, 67% Humidity | ||
Hatzor HaGlilit (Hebrew: חָצוֹר הַגְּלִילִית) is a town in northern Israel near Rosh Pinna and Safed. It is named for the nearby biblical site of Tel Hazor. In 2015 it had a population of 8,834.
Contents
Map of Hatzor HaGlilit, Israel
History
Hatzor was a Canaanite and later Israelite city within the tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 19:36) during late Bronze and early Iron Ages, which was conquered by Assyrian ruler Tiglath-Pileser III in 732 BC and its population was deported, while the city was burnt to the ground.
Hatzor HaGlilit was founded in 1952–1953 as a transition camp. The new founded camp was located on the land of the depopulated Arab village of Mughr al-Khayt, 1 km southeast of the village site. The two adjacent transition camps were initially named "Hatzor A" and Hatzor B", named for the nearby biblical site of Tel Hatzor, and housed immigrants and refugees, primarily Jews from North Africa.
In 1956, Hatzor HaGlilit was given the status of local council. By 1958, Hatzor HaGlilit had a population of 4,000 and received development town status. Over time, the city preserved its Jewish religious-traditional demographic status and later a Jewish ultra-orthodox neighbourhood was also established, housing Gur Hassids.
In December 2011, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics, the town was populated by 8,705 residents, with 0.0% population growth.
Landmarks
One of the town's most well-known landmarks is the tomb of Honi the Circle-Maker, adjoining the burial sites of two of his grandsons, Abba Hilkiyah and Hanan HaNihba. According to Jewish legend, Honi HaM'agel had the power to bring rain through his prayers. The presence of this shrine attracted a large Gerrer hassid population to the town.