בית הבק, Basalt stone building complex near Sea of Galilee, Israel
Beit HaBek is a complex of several basalt stone structures located 500 meters east of where the Jordan River enters the Sea of Galilee. The buildings date from early Jewish settlement times in the region and still shape the landscape today.
The site was founded in 1904 when sixteen Jewish families from Crimea settled here as tenant farmers under the rule of Abdul Rahman Pasha Al-Yusuf. The land became an important step in the agricultural development of the region during this period.
The settlement shows a rare chapter of early Jewish settlement where Jewish farmers worked as tenants on Arab-owned land. Visitors can still see today how this mixed agricultural community shaped the layout of the place.
The site is located within a nature reserve and is best explored on foot, as the basalt structures are scattered across the open landscape. The area is quite remote, so wear good shoes and pay attention to the ground conditions.
The site was captured by Israeli paratroopers during a 1955 military operation after it had been transformed into a Syrian military position. This eventful period left marks that can sometimes still be found in the surroundings.
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