Yifat

Yifat is a kibbutz located in the Galilee region in northern occupied Palestine. It lies adjacent to the settlement of Migdal HaEmek, and is within short distances of the cities of Afula and Nazareth. The kibbutz was established on the lands of the depopulated village of al-Mujaydil, in the district of Nazareth.

The kibbutz was founded in 1954 by members of the organization Kvutzat HaSharon, who had previously lived in Ramat David, along with former residents of Giv'at, including Haim Gvati, who later served as a minister in the Israeli government. The kibbutz was initially named Ehud HaSharon – Givat, but was later renamed after the biblical town of Yivya, following a pattern similar to that of the Arab town Jaffa (Yafa). Yifat’s economy relies on light industry, agriculture, greenhouses, plant nurseries, and the raising of cattle, sheep, and poultry, in addition to a hospitality industry. The "Western Valley" School (for sixth grade) and a performing arts complex are located within the kibbutz, as is the Museum of Pioneer Settlement. Yifat also hosts a Hebrew ulpan (language school) for immigrants and prospective immigrants. Moreover, the kibbutz accommodates "volunteers", both Jewish and non-Jewish, from various countries. In earlier times, Yifat welcomed non-Jewish visitors from Germany, at a time when some other kibbutzim practiced discrimination—even against those born after World War II. As of 2022, the kibbutz had a population of 1,227 settlers.