al-Mujaydil

Al-Majidil: Historical Overview

Location and Early History

The village of al-Majidil was built on the gently sloping southern hillsides of Wadi al-Majidil. In 1596, it was recorded as part of the Tiberias subdistrict (Safad district), with a population of 22. At the time, the village paid taxes on wheat, barley, fruit trees, goats, and beehives.

By the late 19th century, al-Majidil was described as a prosperous village constructed from stone and mud. Located on the northern side of a small plain, its olive groves occupied the eastern and southern edges. In 1859, the population was estimated at 800, cultivating 100 faddans of land (with each faddan equal to approximately 100–250 dunams). Several springs flowed near the village, especially to the southwest.

Village Layout and Demographics

The village had a triangular shape, with its homes built close together, using stone and mud, stone and cement, or reinforced concrete. By 1945, al-Majidil was the third-largest village in the district by population, comprising 1,640 Muslims and 260 Christians. The village had two primary schools—one for boys and another for girls—as well as a church and a monastery affiliated with the Greek Catholic community, and a municipal council to manage local affairs.

A 1946 survey of Palestine reported the council’s expenditures at 36 Palestinian pounds in 1929. The Official Gazette (Issue 1630) noted these expenditures rose to 80 pounds in 1937 but then fell to 34 pounds in 1944, even as the council’s revenues continued to increase.

Economy and Agriculture

Al-Majidil’s economy was primarily based on agriculture, with wheat being the most important crop. In 1944–1945, a total of 14,982 dunams was dedicated to cereal production, and 1,685 dunams were irrigated or used for orchards. Of these, 1,600 dunams were devoted to olive cultivation—the highest figure in the district. The village also had two mechanical olive presses. Near the village, remnants of a Roman road were discovered, indicating the area’s habitation during Roman times.

Occupation and Ethnic Cleansing

According to The History of the Haganah, al-Majidil, like its neighboring village Ma’lul, was captured by units of the Golani Brigade on 14 or 15 July 1948, during the second phase of Operation Dekel, as Israeli forces moved to encircle Nazareth. The attack on al-Majidil misled the defenders of Nazareth into believing the main assault would come from the south. The History of the Haganah notes that the Arabs of Nazareth were confident they could repel an attack from the south; however, the actual assault came from the northwest, by Israeli units stationed in Shefa ‘Amr, which had already been occupied.

Al-Majidil was among the Lower Galilee villages completely depopulated and subsequently leveled. By the end of July 1948, approximately 1,200 refugees from al-Majidil had arrived in Nazareth, although it is unclear whether they remained there permanently.

Current Status of the Village Site

Today, most of the former village site is covered by a pine forest used as a public park by Israelis. The only remaining structures are the monastery and partial ruins of the church, where monks still reside. Visible remnants include destroyed homes and cemetery walls. The surrounding lands contain cactus, fig, olive, and pomegranate trees, and several wells are also present in the area.

Zionist Settlements on Village Lands

• The settlement of Migdal HaEmek (grid ref. 172231) was established in 1952 by Iranian Jewish immigrants on al-Majidil’s lands, less than one kilometer southwest of the original village site.
• The older settlement of Yifat (171231), founded in 1926, was also built on traditional village lands and lies about 2 kilometers west of the village site.

Summery-:

Al-Majidil Village

Location and Historical Background

• Al-Majidil was located on the southern slopes of Wadi al-Majidil and belonged to the Tiberias subdistrict (Safad district) during the Ottoman era.
• In 1596, it had 22 residents and paid taxes on wheat, barley, fruit trees, goats, and beehives.

19th Century Development

• By the late 1800s, it was described as a prosperous village made of stone and mud.
• It was located on the northern edge of a small plain, with olive groves to the east and south.
• In 1859, the population was estimated at 800 people farming around 100 faddans (approx. 10,000–25,000 dunams).
• Several natural springs, especially to the southwest, provided water.

Village Structure and Demographics

• The village had a triangular shape with tightly clustered homes made of stone, cement, or concrete.
• In 1945, it was the third-largest village in the district, with 1,640 Muslims and 260 Christians.
• It had two elementary schools (for boys and girls), a Greek Catholic church and monastery, and a municipal council.

Municipal Finances

• The municipal council’s budget was recorded as:
  • 36 Palestinian pounds (1929)
  • 80 pounds (1937)
  • 34 pounds (1944), despite increasing revenue

Economy and Agriculture

• Agriculture was the main economic activity, especially wheat.
• In 1944–45:
  • 14,982 dunams were cultivated for cereals.
  • 1,685 dunams were irrigated or used for orchards.
  • 1,600 dunams were planted with olives — the highest amount in the district.
  • The village had two mechanical olive presses.
• Remains of a Roman road near the village indicate its ancient habitation.

Occupation and Depopulation (1948)

• According to The History of the Haganah, al-Majidil was captured by the Golani Brigade on 14–15 July 1948, during Operation Dekel.
• The attack on al-Majidil diverted attention from the Israeli assault on Nazareth.
• The village was completely depopulated and destroyed.
• Around 1,200 refugees from al-Majidil arrived in Nazareth by the end of July 1948, but their fate afterward is unclear.

Current State of the Village

• Most of the former village site is now a pine forest used as a recreational park by Israelis.
• Remaining structures:
  • The monastery (still inhabited by monks)
  • Ruins of the church
  • Wrecked houses and cemetery walls
• The surrounding land contains cactus, fig, olive, and pomegranate trees, and several wells.

Israeli Settlements on Village Land

• Migdal HaEmek: Founded in 1952 by Iranian Jewish immigrants, less than 1 km southwest of the original village site.
• Yifat: Established in 1926 on traditional village land, 2 km west of the village.