Mi'ar

Historical OverviewIn modern times, the houses of the village were built of stone. The Ottomans established a school in Maʽar in 1888, though it was closed during the final years of the Ottoman period. The population of Maʽar consisted entirely of Muslims. In 1944–1945, the villagers allocated 2,878 dunums of their land for grain cultivation, while 113 dunums were irrigated or used for orchards.

A number of archaeological artifacts were discovered within and around the village, including rock inscriptions, building remains, column fragments, olive presses, and water cisterns.

Occupation and Ethnic CleansingDuring the second phase of the Israeli military operation known as Operation Dekel, military units advanced toward Maʽar from areas that had recently been occupied in the Lower Galilee. According to Israeli historian Benny Morris, units of the 7th Brigade (Sheva) entered the village between 15 and 18 July 1948.

Morris's account suggests that the residents fled either due to artillery bombardment or as a result of the occupation of large portions of the Lower Galilee.

Israeli Settlements on Village LandsThe settlement of Segev was established to the east of Maʽar in 1953. Later, the settlements of Ba'ad (1975, to the northeast) and Manof (1980) were also established on the village's lands.

Additionally, the settlement of Yuvalim, established in 1982 on lands that traditionally belonged to the neighboring village of Sakhnin, is located approximately 2 kilometers east of Maʽar's original site.

The Village TodayThe site is now covered with cypress trees. Some stone wall remnants, simple graves, and a few fig and olive trees remain. The area has been converted into a recreational and picnic site.