Mishmar HaYarden (moshava)

Mishmar HaYarden was a moshava (agricultural settlement) established in the Hula Valley of Ottoman Palestine in 1884. It was located near the Jordan River, giving it its name, which translates to "Guard of the Jordan."

The moshava was founded by members of the Old Yishuv, specifically from Jerusalem and Safed, and was one of the earliest agricultural settlements of the modern Zionist movement. The settlers faced numerous challenges including malaria, difficult agricultural conditions due to the swampy terrain, and conflicts with neighboring Arab villages.

Mishmar HaYarden was captured and destroyed by Syrian forces during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Its residents were evacuated, and the moshava was not rebuilt. The land was later incorporated into other settlements in the area. Today, a memorial site commemorates the moshava and its pioneers. The events of Mishmar HaYarden serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the early years of Jewish settlement in Palestine.