Migdal, Israel Explained

Migdal
Settlement Type:Local council (from 1949)
Translit Lang1:Hebrew
Translit Lang1 Type1:ISO 259
Translit Lang1 Info1:Migdal
Pushpin Map:Israel northeast#Israel
Pushpin Mapsize:150px
Pushpin Label Position:top
Coordinates:32.8391°N 35.4993°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type2:District
Subdivision Name2:Northern
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1910
Leader Title:Head of Municipality
Leader Name:Israel Sason Amrosi
Unit Pref:dunam
Population Density Km2:auto
Blank Name Sec1:Name meaning
Blank Info Sec1:Tower

Migdal (Hebrew: מִגְדָּל||Tower) is a town in the Northern District of Israel. It was founded in 1948, and granted local council status in 1949.[1] In it had a population of . Migdal is located near Ginosar, and about 8 km north of Tiberias. It has a shoreline on the Sea of Galilee, including the Tamar, Ilanot and Arbel beaches.

History

Migdal is named after a city from the Second Temple period called "Magdala". The ancient city is believed to have been located on the site of the depopulated village of al-Majdal, which preserved the name.[2]

In 1908, a small group of German Catholics who identified the site as the birthplace of Mary Magdalene settled there. They left after a year and the land was bought by Russian Zionists who founded a training farm, Ahuzat Moskva (Moscow Estate) in 1910. This settlement was adjacent to the Arab village al-Majdal.[3] The pioneers were members of the Hovevei Zion (“Lovers of Zion”) movement, under the leadership of Moshe Glikin. They included several who became key figures in the history of Jewish settlement, among them Joseph Trumpeldor and J.H. Brenner.[4]

A few years later, the land was sold to private investors. An encampment of Gdud HaAvoda workers who built the Tiberias-Rosh Pinna road was established there in 1921.[5]

According to a census conducted in 1922 by the British Mandate authorities, Migdal had a population of 51 inhabitants, consisting of 42 Jews and 9 Muslims.[6]

Landmarks

In 1998, a local history museum was founded in one of the farm’s first buildings.[4]

Notable residents

Notes and References

  1. https://greekreporter.com/2022/10/26/ancient-magdala-unearthed-israel/ Ancient City of Magdala Unearthed in Israel
  2. Book: Hareuveni. Immanuel. Eretz Yisrael Lexicon. 2010. Ministry of Education. 558–559.
  3. https://www.israel365news.com/350271/archaeologists-discover-second-ancient-synagogue-on-the-shores-of-sea-of-galilee/ Archaeologists discover second ancient synagogue on the shores of Sea of Galilee
  4. https://shimur.org/sites/jacob-and-eyal-horwitz-pioneers-house-and-museum/?lang=en Jacob and Eyal Horwitz Pioneers’ House and Museum
  5. Encyclopedia of Zionism and Israel Herzl Press and McGraw-Hill, New York 1971, Volume II, p. 784
  6. Web site: Palestine Census (1922).