Saving Ein-Fit and the Valley of the Orchards
The Ein-Fit Valley, located in the northern Golan Heights, is one of the rare natural gems in the dry and densely urbanized State of Israel. The site is facing the risk of destruction and its transformation into an IDF training facility in a built-up area (the fourth and largest military training facility in the Golan Heights).
This plan will constitute irreparable damage to one of the last remaining wild natural areas, which may become an active IDF urban warfare training area.
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Ein-Fit is a rare space with a history of thousands of years, with gushing springs, impressive trees, and old buildings of the Syrian village that was there until 1967.
The Pere River, a tributary of the Banias, flows there all year round, a source of life for a wide variety of wildlife. This includes dozens of species of birds, deer, wild boars, foxes, porcupines, and even endangered species such as the common ibex, caracal, wild cat, and striped hyena.
The site attracts crowds of travelers every year and features avenues of poplars and willows, thickets of raspberry bushes, a forest of oaks and holly, terraces, orchards, olive groves, and streams.
In June 2023, it was learned that the army received permits to establish the largest military base in the Golan Heights on the site. The IDF plans on building dozens of concrete structures, roads for heavy vehicles, and additional infrastructure required for large-scale operations.
Because it is a military facility, the plans for establishing a training site in Ein Pit were formulated within the army, without public participation. The decision was made by a secret committee (Holmab) designated for secret facilities in emergency situations, without the possibility of objection or environmental surveys.
Pictured: The military construction plan in the valley
הרמטכ"ל ביטל את הקמת בסיס הענק בפנינת הטבע בגולן: "לא יתאים לצרכים"
יואב זיתון | 2/11/2025
פרסום ראשון: אחרי מאבק סביבתי נרחב, צה"ל לא יקים את מתקן האימונים הגדול בעין פית - ובמקומו יקומו מתקני אימון חליפיים ש"יתאימו למתווה האימונים שמתגבש בצה"ל בעת הזו". החברה להגנת הטבע: "סמל לקשר העמוק בין אדם לטבע"