Hatzor HaGlilit (Hebrew: חָצוֹר הַגְּלִילִית lit. "Hatzor of Galilee") is a town in the Korazim Plateau in northern Israel near Rosh Pinna and Safed. It is named for the nearby biblical site of Tel Hazor. In 2022 it had a population of 10,047.
Hatzor HaGlilit
| |
|---|---|
| Hebrew transcription(s) | |
| • ISO 259 | Ḥaçor ha Glilit |
| • Also spelled | Hatzor HaGlilit (unofficial) |
 | |
  Hatzor HaGlilit  Hatzor HaGlilit | |
| Coordinates: 32°58′46″N 35°32′37″E / 32.97944°N 35.54361°E | |
| Country |  Israel |
| District | Northern |
| Founded | 1953 |
| Government | |
| • Head of Municipality | Shimon Swisa |
| Area | |
• Total | 5,170 dunams (5.17 km2 or 2.00 sq mi) |
| Population (2022)[1] | |
• Total | 10,047 |
| • Density | 1,900/km2 (5,000/sq mi) |
| Website | http://www.hatzorg.co.il |
History
edit
Ancient Hazor
editHatzor HaGlilit is named after the biblical city of Hazor, a Canaanite and later Israelite city belonging to the tribe of Naphtali (Joshua 19:36).[2] In 732 BCE, it was conquered by Tiglath-Pileser III of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and its population was deported,[3] while the city was burnt to the ground.[3][4]
Ancient Hazor was discovered in Tel Hazor, a tell located near kibbutz Ayelet HaShahar, few kilometers north of Hazor HaGlilit.
Modern Hatzor HaGlilit
editHatzor HaGlilit was founded in 1952–1953 as a transit camp.[5] The new camp was located on the land of the depopulated Palestinian village of Mughr al-Khayt, 1 km southeast of the village site.[6] The two adjacent transit 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.[7] 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, Hazor was populated by 8,705 residents, with 0.0% population growth.
Landmarks
editOne 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.[8] The presence of this shrine attracted a large Gerrer hassid population to the town.
References
edit
- ^ "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ It has to be distinguished from Hazor within the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:23), after which Hatzor Ashdod was named.
- ^ a b Israel Finkelstein, The Bible Unearthed
- ^ "However, the correlation between the destruction of Stratum V with Tiglatpileser III's campaign has been challenged"; cf. P. James, "The Alleged 'Anchor Point' of 732 BC for the Destruction of Hazor V", AntOr 6 (2008).
- ^ Vilnay (1976), p. 2489
- ^ Khalidi, 1992, p479
- ^ HaReuveni (1999), p. 327
- ^ "Chatzor Ha-Gelilit – Tomb of the Circle Maker". OHR. Retrieved October 16, 2009.
Bibliography
edit- HaReuveni, Immanuel (1999). Lexicon of the Land of Israel (in Hebrew). Miskal - Yedioth Ahronoth Books and Chemed Books. ISBN 965-448-413-7.
- Khalidi, Walid (1992), All That Remains: The Palestinian Villages Occupied and Depopulated by Israel in 1948, Washington D.C.: Institute for Palestine Studies, ISBN 0-88728-224-5
- Vilnai, Ze'ev (1976). "Hatzor (5)". Ariel Encyclopedia (in Hebrew). Vol. 3. Tel Aviv, Israel: Am Oved.