Waves Metulla Sharon

  • Issue: April 1996
  • Designer: D. Harel
  • Stamp size: 30.8 x 30.8 mm
  • Plate no.: 275
  • Sheet of 15 stamps Tabs: 5
  • Printers: Government Printers
  • Method of printing: Offset

Metulla was established in 1896 with the aid of Baron Edmund Rothschild who purchased the lands from an "effendi" in Sidon. The first settlers, 59 families, were agricultural workers from some of the Barons other settlements, particularly Rishon LeZion and Zichron Ya'acov. They settled in Metulla on June 9,1896.

The pioneers built their homes on the hill commanding views of both the Galilee and Lebanon. The farmers hoped to farm in peace, but reality proved them wrong. The pioneers lived through hard times and experienced poverty and suffering, and often had to contend with attacks and provocations from their Arab neighbours.

The political instability and changes in government in the region (Turkish, French, British) did not make the daily lives of the settlers any easier. With the founding of the State of Israel, Metulla enjoyed a short period of peace on its border with Lebanon.

Towards the end of the 1950's, with the trend to move out of the city into rural areas, Metulla began to grow. The town was finally connected to the national electrical and water systems. The residents' financial status improved, and hundreds of acres of deciduous fruit trees were planted, and the settlers began to see the fruits of their labours. Based on the area's natural gifts - the clean mountain air, the charming view and the tranquil atmosphere - the infrastructure for the tourism industry was laid.

After the Six Day War, the security situation on the border deteriorated with the commencement of terrorist activity in the north. At a certain stage, the residents of South Lebanon decided to dissociate themselves from the terrorist organizations and strengthen their ties with Israel. This led to the opening of "The Good Fence" towards the end of the 1970's. To this day, "The Good Fence" symbolizes coexistence and good neighbourliness. Thousands of Lebanese men and women pass through it daily to earn their livelihood in Israel. Some 2,000 residents enjoy Metulla's quality of life - one of the highest in Israel. The quiet, the peacefulness, the combination of old and new and the unique climate all attract numerous visitors to Metulla.

Metulla is the northern-most Jewish settlement in Israel - the tip of the fingernail of the "Finger of the Galilee". The weather in Metulla is pleasant most days. Precipitation levels are high, with very low winter temperatures and occasionally snow. About 450 families live in the settlement - about 180 make their living from agriculture, and a growing number of families earn their livelihood from the tourist industry. Metulla maintains its special country atmosphere to this day - the main street has been totally reconstructed, and anyone building a home in town is required to install a red tile roof.

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Metulla centenary