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Druze villages
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Ein al-Asad
The picturesque village of Ein al-Asad, which forms part of the Merom HaGalil Local Authority, is the smallest of Israel’s Druze settlements. It was founded in 1866 by several Beit Jann families that were later joined by Druze settlers from Hasbia (in Lebanon), Majdal Shams (in the Golan Heights) and Isfiya. Located on the slope of Mount Meron, Ein al-Asad lies 6 miles north-east of Karmiel and about 4 miles north-east of Rama. Its location affords a splendid panorama: to the east is Beit HaKerem valley, while to the west the Bay of Acre can be seen. The village is accessed from Road 866, between Hanania and Meron junctions.
Meaning (The fountain of the lion) in Arabic, Ein al Asad, meaning the fountain of the lion in Arabic, is named after a lion said to have lived by the fountain located in the heart of the village. Since its inception the villagers of Ein al- Asad have lived around this fountain, which supplied ample water throughout the year for both domestic and agriculture use. Residents engaged mainly in agriculture and herding, but with time the rough terrain forced them into other occupations - mainly within the armed forces.
Today Ein al-Asad is home to 865 people. Village children attend two kindergartens and a junior high school, where students are educated up to the 8th grade, afterwards proceeding to study at the high school in nearby Rama. Over the past decade tourism has grown tremendously in the village, with guesthouses and restaurants being opened. This served to boost the local economy, and many villagers engage in various aspects of the hospitality industry.
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