Tarbikha

The village of Tarbikha was located on a flat area of land atop a gradually ascending elevation toward the west, adjacent to a spacious plain. It overlooked two dependent villages to its east, namely Sirouh and An-Nabi Rubin. A network of secondary roads connected it to Ras al-Naqoura and several border villages in Lebanon. Tarbikha was situated at the site historically known as Tayr Bikah during the Crusader period, from which it derived its name.

In 1596, Tarbikha was a village in the Tabnîn subdistrict of the Safad district, with a population of 88. The village paid taxes on various crops including wheat, barley, and olives, as well as on other products and assets such as goats, bee hives, and an olive press.

By the late 19th century, Tarbikha was built of stone and situated on the edge of a rise. Its population numbered approximately 100, who cultivated olives. During the Ottoman period, Tarbikha was administratively part of the Beirut district and only came under Palestinian administration after World War I, following the British and French delineation of the Lebanon-Palestine border. The inhabitants were entirely Muslim, and the houses were built of stone with wood and mud roofs, clustered closely around an irrigation pool.

During the late Mandate period, some two-story houses constructed of reinforced concrete were built, extending development along the road from Ras al-Naqoura to Banat Ya‘qub. The village contained two mosques and a primary school established after 1938, which had approximately 120 students by the mid-1940s. It also had a customs and police post to monitor the border with Lebanon. In 1945, the village founded the Cultural Reform Association, aiming to improve social, educational, and cultural conditions.

Land and Agriculture

The village lands were mountainous and interspersed with numerous valleys but also contained flat areas. Residents obtained water for domestic use from several springs, pools, and wells. Most of the land was used for grazing, but the population also cultivated grains, olives, and other crops. Tobacco production increased toward the end of the Mandate period, rivaling the quality of Turkish tobacco.

In 1944-1945, a total of 3,200 dunams were allocated for grains and 619 dunams for irrigated orchards. Numerous ruins discovered on the village lands indicate a long and rich history of habitation, including ancient olive presses and rock-cut tombs.

Occupation and Ethnic Cleansing

Following the completion of Operation Hiram by the Israeli army (see the entry for Arab al-Samina, Acre district), at the end of October 1948, Israeli units advanced toward several villages near the Lebanese border and expelled their inhabitants. Tarbikha was among the first villages to fall. In the second week of November, the Oded Brigade entered the village and ordered the residents to cross the border into Lebanon. According to the History of the War of Independence, the Israeli army encountered no resistance in the village. However, Israeli historian Benny Morris cites statements from the Israeli Northern Front commander indicating that his forces were compelled for military reasons to expel the residents of Tarbikha along with those from other villages.

The Village Today

The site is covered with rubble from stone houses and wild vegetation. A single stone house remains standing, though its facade is missing and it is close to collapse. Cactus plants and fig trees grow on the southern slopes of the site. On the northern slopes lies a cemetery containing four distinguishable Roman and Byzantine tombs, with a Christ’s Thorn shrub growing in the center. Recent excavations have uncovered several archaeological graves, converting the area into a recognized archaeological site.

Zionist Settlements on Village Lands

According to Morris, Zionist immigrants settled the village lands on 27 May 1949, establishing the settlement of Shomera (177276). Nearby, the settlement of Even Menachem (178275) was founded in 1960. Additionally, the settlements of Kfar Rozvald (177278), established in 1967, and Shtula (179278), founded in 1969, are also located on the village lands.