HaSolelim

HaSolelim (Hebrew: הַסּוֹלְלִים, lit. 'The Road Builders') is a kibbutz in northern Israel. Located near Kiryat Tiv'on, Nazareth and Shefa-'Amr, it falls under the jurisdiction of Jezreel Valley Regional Council. In 2023 it had a population of 961.^[1]

HaSolelim
Etymology: The Road Builders
HaSolelim Show map of Jezreel Valley region of Israel HaSolelim Show map of Israel
Coordinates: 32°45′1″N 35°14′16″E
Country	Israel
District	Northern
Council	Jezreel Valley
Affiliation	HaOved HaTzioni
Founded	1949
Founded by	Maccabi Hatzair Members
Population  (2023)[1]	961

Etymology

Initially named Tzippori B after the ancient site located nearby,^[2] the village was later renamed "HaSolelim" ('the Road Builders') with the name symbolising the wishes of the founders to pave the way for new settlements in the Land of Israel.^[3]

History

The nearby Palestinian town of Saffuriya had been almost emptied of its 4,000 inhabitants in July 1948. By early January 1949 about 500 inhabitants had returned, but "neighbouring settlements coveted Saffuriya lands". The "Northern Front" ordered their eviction, which was carried out on 7 January 1949. From February the same year, the land of Saffuriya was redistributed to neighbouring Jewish settlements.^[4]

The kibbutz HaSolelim was established in July 1949 by members of the Maccabi Hatzair movement and by members of the General Zionist Movement in America.^[5] 3,795 dunams of Saffuriya's land was given to HaSolelim in late 1949.^[4] HaSolelim is located west of the Saffuriya site.^[6]