Hatzor HaGlilit

Hatzor HaGlilit (Hebrew: חצור הגלילית, lit. 'Hatzor of Galilee') is a town in the Korazim Plateau in the Upper Galilee in northern Israel near Rosh Pinna and Safed. It is named for the nearby biblical site of Tel Hazor. In 2023 it had a population of 11,062.

Hatzor HaGlilit חצור הגלילית‎
Local council
Hebrew transcription(s)
• ISO 259	Ḥaçor ha Glilit
• Also spelled	Hatzor HaGlilit (unofficial)
View of Hatzor HaGlilit
Hatzor HaGlilit Show map of Northeast Israel Hatzor HaGlilit Show map of Israel
Coordinates: 32°58′46″N 35°32′37″E
Country	Israel
District	Northern
Subdistrict	Safed
Founded	1953
Government
• Head of Municipality	Michael Kabesa
Area
• Total	5,170 dunams (5.17 km2 or 2.00 sq mi)
Population  (2023)[1]
• Total	11,062
• Density	2,100/km2 (5,500/sq mi)
Name meaning	Hatzor of Galilee
Website	http://www.hatzorg.co.il

History

Hatzor HaGlilit overlooking Hula Valley and Mount Hermon

Ancient Hazor

Main article: Tel Hazor

Hatzor 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

Hatzor 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.

Demographics

In 2022, 97.5% of the population was Jewish and 2.5% was counted as other.^[8]

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.^[9] The presence of this shrine attracted a large Gerrer hassid population to the town.