Eilabun 2.98

Eilabun is an Israeli Arab local council in northern Israel. Located in the Beit Netofa Valley around 15km south-west of Safed, it had a population of in, which is predominantly Christian (70.5%). In 1973, Eilabun achieved local council status by the Israeli government.EtymologyAccording to the Survey of Western Palestine, the name Eilabun comes from Arabic, meaning "hard, rocky ground." An Israeli theory is that the place was built on the ancient site of "Ailabu" (עַיְלַבּוּ), a possible variation of the name Ein Levon.HistoryPottery remains from the Middle Bronze Age, Iron Age II, Persian, early Roman and from the Byzantine era have been excavated. Rock-cut sarcophagi have been found to the west of the village.Remains from the Mamluk era have also been excavated.Elibabun is mentioned as one of the cities associated with one of the twenty-four priestly divisions, the residence of the priestly clan known as Haqoṣ. A stone inscription mentioning the town was discovered in Yemen by orientalist, Walter W. Muller, in 1970, and is believed to have been part of a ruined synagogue, now turned mosque.