In the 19th century Kfar Bir’im (ancient Bar’am) was occupied and settled by Maronite Christians. During Israel’s war of Independence (known as “the catastrophe” to the Arabs) the inhabitants were forced out of their village by the Israeli military forces with the promise that they could return after the fighting ceased. The displaced inhabitants settled in nearby Gush Halav and other villages.
View of the occasionally used Maronite Christian Church in Kfar Bir’im
that is located to the south of the synagogue at Baram.
Click on Image to Enlarge
The request/demand to return by these Arab Christians was tied up in the Israeli court system for years, but ultimately the court ruled against allowing them to return. Today the site is a National Park and boasts the best preserved ancient synagogue in the country.
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