 Click Photo for Larger Version
|
Image ToolbarPlease read before you download
Images and/or text from holylandphotos.org are NOT TO BE USED ON OTHER WEB SITES, NOR COMMERCIALLY, without special permission. To request permission contact us at holylandphotos@gmail.com. |
View looking south of the remnants of the destroyed Maronite village of Kafr Bir'im.
In the 19th century the site was occupied and settled by Marointe Christians. During Israel's war of Independence (know as "the catastrophe" to the Arabs) the inhabitants were forced out of their village by the Israeli military forces with the promise that they could return after the fighting ceased. The displaced inhabitants settled in nearby Gush Halav and other villages. The request/demand to return by these Arab Christians was tied up on the Israeli court system for years, but ultimately the court ruled against allowing them to return.
For a description of this, and related events see Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour.
For a brief description of this branch of Christianity see conveniently the Wikipedia Article.
