Migdal Afek (Hebrew: מגדל אפק), also Migdal Tsedek (Hebrew: מגדל צדק), is a national park on the southeastern edge of Rosh HaAyin, Israel. It is the site of the depopulated Palestinian village of Majdal Yaba.
Migdal Afek (Hebrew: מגדל אפק), also Migdal Tsedek (Hebrew: מגדל צדק), is a national park on the southeastern edge of Rosh HaAyin, Israel. It is the site of the depopulated Palestinian village of Majdal Yaba.
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Main article: Majdal Yaba |
Located in Migdal Afek are the ruins of Mirabel, a Crusader castle, built on the site of ancient Migdal Afek. It was described in Muslim sources in 1225 as a village with a fortress called Majdal Yaba.[1] In the 17th century, the village was taken over by the Rayyān family who arrived from Transjordan and built a two-story manor house.[1] The ruins of the manor house, among which remains of the Crusader castle can be seen, are today called Migdal Afek or Migdal Tsedek.[1]
The village was depopulated by the IDF in July 1948.[2][3]
Migdal Tsedek means "Tower of Sadek" in Hebrew, referring to the name of its Sheikh Sadek Al Rayyan.[citation needed]
A lintel over an entrance that was used by the local sheikh as a stable and fodder storage room bears the Greek inscription "Martyr Memorial Church of the Holy Herald."[4]
During World War I, Migdal Afek was the site of battles between the Central Powers (forces of the Ottoman, German and Austro-Hungarian empires) and the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.[5]
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