Manara, Israel


Menara is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located in the Upper Galilee adjacent to the Lebanese border and overlooking the Hula Valley, it falls under the jurisdiction of Upper Galilee Regional Council. In it had a population of.

History

The kibbutz was established in 1943 by members of the HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed youth group, and other young immigrants from Germany and Poland. At one point the kibbutz was renamed Ramim in an attempt to replace its Arabic name with a Hebrew one. However, the new name failed to take hold amongst local residents. The kibbutz then came to a settlement with the government whereby the name Menara, with an accent on the last syllable would be made official.
bringing supplies to Kibbutz Manara. 1948
with a convoy to Manara. 1948
In June, 1948, the kibbutz requested land from the newly depopulated Palestinian village of Qadas, as it was "suitable for winter crops."
Leon Uris visited the kibbutz while researching his novel, Exodus. Former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's sister Rachel Ya'akov was a founding member.
As Manara lies less than 100 metres from the Lebanese border, problems have arisen during fighting between the two countries. The Menara bypass project was completed in 2005 to provide safe access to the kibbutz.
Manara is boasted to be 888 metres above sea level and is a rare style for a kibbutz, with apartments providing the accommodation, due to the limited space.

Economy

Manara's main industries are agriculture, tourism to the scenic cliffs via its cable cars descending to Kiryat Shmona in the valley below, and a technical glass manufacturing plant.