Isfiya
Encyclopedia
Isfiya also known as Ussefiya, is a Druze
village and local council
in northern Israel
. Located on Mount Carmel
, it is part of Haifa District
. In 2009 it had a population of 25,400. In 2003, the local council was merged with nearby Daliyat al-Karmel
to form Carmel City
. However, the new city was dissolved in 2008 and the two villages resumed their independent status.
remnants have been found in the village. In 1930, remains of a 5th century Jewish town, Husifah, were unearthed in Isfiya. Among the finds are a synagogue with a mosaic floor bearing Jewish symbols and the inscription "Peace upon Israel." A cache of 4,500 gold coins were found dating from the Roman period.
Isfiya was mentioned as part of the domain of the Sultan during the hudna
between the Crusaders based in Acre
and the Mamluk
sultan al-Mansur (Qalawun
) declared in 1283.
The modern village was founded in the early eighteenth century. The inhabitants made their living from olive oil, honey and grapes.
At the time of the 1931 census of Palestine
, Isfiya had 251 occupied houses and a population of 742 Druzes, 187 Christians, and 176 Muslims. These counts included the smaller localities Damun Farm, Shallala Farm and El Jalama.
During the British Mandate for Palestine, the villagers initially supported the Arab Abu
Durra gang. However, after local leaders were abducted and murdered, the notables turned to the British, who destroyed the gang. A Druze self-defense force was established that
received arms from the British and sometimes coordinated its activities with local Jewish forces.
Druze
The Druze are an esoteric, monotheistic religious community, found primarily in Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan, which emerged during the 11th century from Ismailism. The Druze have an eclectic set of beliefs that incorporate several elements from Abrahamic religions, Gnosticism, Neoplatonism...
village and local council
Local council (Israel)
Local councils are one of the three types of local government found in Israel, with the other two being cities and regional councils. As of 2003, there were 144 local councils in Israel, these being settlements which pass a minimum threshold enough to justify their operations as independent...
in northern Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. Located on Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel ; , Kármēlos; , Kurmul or جبل مار إلياس Jabal Mar Elyas 'Mount Saint Elias') is a coastal mountain range in northern Israel stretching from the Mediterranean Sea towards the southeast. Archaeologists have discovered ancient wine and oil presses at various locations on Mt. Carmel...
, it is part of Haifa District
Haifa District
Haifa District is an administrative district surrounding the city of Haifa, Israel. The district is one of six administrative districts of Israel, and its capital is Haifa...
. In 2009 it had a population of 25,400. In 2003, the local council was merged with nearby Daliyat al-Karmel
Daliyat al-Karmel
Daliyat al-Karmel is a Druze local council in the North District of Israel, located around 20 km southeast of Haifa.-History:The town was given local council status in 1951. However, in 2003 it was merged with nearby Isfiya to create Carmel City...
to form Carmel City
Carmel City
Carmel City was a short-lived city in the Haifa District of Israel, named after its location on Mount Carmel. In 2003, the two Druze towns Daliyat al-Karmel and Isfiya were merged to become one city, initially known as Daliyat al-Karmel-Isfiya, and renamed to Carmel City in 2005.The merger was...
. However, the new city was dissolved in 2008 and the two villages resumed their independent status.
History
Isfiya was built on the ruins of a Byzantine settlement. CrusaderCrusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars, blessed by the Pope and the Catholic Church with the main goal of restoring Christian access to the holy places in and near Jerusalem...
remnants have been found in the village. In 1930, remains of a 5th century Jewish town, Husifah, were unearthed in Isfiya. Among the finds are a synagogue with a mosaic floor bearing Jewish symbols and the inscription "Peace upon Israel." A cache of 4,500 gold coins were found dating from the Roman period.
Isfiya was mentioned as part of the domain of the Sultan during the hudna
Hudna
Hudna is an Arabic term meaning a temporary "truce" or "armistice" as well as "calm" or "quiet", coming from a verbal root meaning "calm". It is sometimes translated as "cease-fire"...
between the Crusaders based in Acre
Acre, Israel
Acre , is a city in the Western Galilee region of northern Israel at the northern extremity of Haifa Bay. Acre is one of the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the country....
and the Mamluk
Mamluk
A Mamluk was a soldier of slave origin, who were predominantly Cumans/Kipchaks The "mamluk phenomenon", as David Ayalon dubbed the creation of the specific warrior...
sultan al-Mansur (Qalawun
Qalawun
Saif ad-Dīn Qalawun aṣ-Ṣāliḥī was the seventh Mamluk sultan of Egypt...
) declared in 1283.
The modern village was founded in the early eighteenth century. The inhabitants made their living from olive oil, honey and grapes.
At the time of the 1931 census of Palestine
1931 census of Palestine
The 1931 census of Palestine was the second census carried out by the authorities of the British Mandate of Palestine. It was carried out on 18 November 1931 under the direction of Major E. Mills. The first census had been conducted in 1922...
, Isfiya had 251 occupied houses and a population of 742 Druzes, 187 Christians, and 176 Muslims. These counts included the smaller localities Damun Farm, Shallala Farm and El Jalama.
During the British Mandate for Palestine, the villagers initially supported the Arab Abu
Durra gang. However, after local leaders were abducted and murdered, the notables turned to the British, who destroyed the gang. A Druze self-defense force was established that
received arms from the British and sometimes coordinated its activities with local Jewish forces.