Shamir (kibbutz)

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Shamir (Hebrew: שמיר‎) is a kibbutz in Upper Galilee area of Israel. Located on the western slopes of the Golan Heights, it falls under the jurisdiction of Upper Galilee Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 608.

[edit] History

The kibbutz was established in 1944 by a small group of mainly Romaniann immigrants. The first-generation settlers were members of the Marxist Zionist youth movement Hashomer Hatzair.

Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War the UN-established border between Israel and Syria was drawn to run only a few hundred yards east of the kibbutz.

[edit] Economy

As of 2006, Shamir is one of the most prosperous kibbutzim in Israel, producing honey, toiletries, and advanced optical products. The optical enterprise, Shamir Optical Industry, is a fully incorporated stock company and is quoted on NASDAQ.

The kibbutz also earns money from tourism; it offers views of Mount Hermon to the north and the Hula Valley below the kibbutz. A relatively rare phenomenon can be observed from Shamir – a "sunrise in the west." As the kibbutz is nested in the steeply-rising western slopes of the Golan, when the sun rises, its first rays at daybreak illuminate the peaks of the Ramim mountain range across the valley to the west of Shamir. As the sun climbs progressively higher, more of Ramim is bathed in sunshine, which can then be observed progressing from west to east, down the slopes of Ramim, across the valley and up the slopes of the Golan before reaching the kibbutz.

Of notable interest in the kibbutz are some 3rd century border stones with Greek inscriptions and several dolmens in the vicinity of the kibbutz.

Some of the local wildlife consists of jackals, hyenas, and vultures.

[edit] External links

• Official website (Hebrew)

Coordinates: 33°9′55.43″N, 35°39′38.51″E