Ghajar - Crossing The Israel-Lebanon Border | Borders of Israel
Channel: Daniel Rosehill
Date: 2023-02-11

When it comes to towns with quirky geopolitical histories, Ghajar - Israel's only Alawite village situated on both sides of the Blue Line / Israel-Lebanon border — has to come near the top of the list. 

Last year, in recognition of a new border fence built by residents and enhanced security surrounding the community, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) revoked a ban on civilians accessing the village. 

Now, the community of only about 2,700 residents is experiencing its first visitors in decades as curious onlookers come to explore a village which is technically located in two countries at war. 

Ghajar's residents are Alawites who feel a sense of affiliation neither with Lebanon nor Israel but rather Syria. After Israel's conquest of the Golan Heights in 1967 the village was temporarily a no man's land. Following a request by residents, Israel integrated the town into its territory.

Subsequent border negotiations mediated by UNIFIL divided the village into two - with its northern half built over the blue line. To this day, however, Israel has integrated the whole village into its territory.

Residents predominantly work in Kiryat Shemoneh, Israel's northernmost city. 

For more information about the village and its history:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghajar

== Timestamps ==

Intro - 00:00
Hermon covered in snow - 00:30
Route 999 - Sheba'a Farms - 00:40
Approaching Ghajar 01:17
Voiceover 1 - 01:26
Ghajar's new border with south Lebanon - 03:20
UNIFIL watchtowers - 03:30
Houses in Southern Lebanon - 03:36
Crossing Blue Line (Israel Lebanon border) - 03:50
Walking over blue line - 04:07
Houses in Lebanon - 04:58
Lookout point into Lebanon (and some of Ghajar's history) - 05:21
Ghajar's status in 1967 / following the Six Day War - 06:20

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Video and presentation: Daniel Rosehill
Camera: Canon XA40
Audio: Rode Reporter and Audio Technica AT875R 

== Contact Information ===

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https://www.youtube.com/c/DanielRosehillVideo/about

Social media and more:

https://www.danielrosehill.com

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