Kibbutz Ein Gev, named after the nearby Arab village Al-Nuqayb,[2] came into being on 6 July 1937 during the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine as a "tower and stockade" settlement, a common debut for many kibbutzim during that era, and quickly established itself as a viable community. The original settlers were immigrants from Czechoslovakia, Germany, Austria, and the Baltic countries.[3] Using intensive cultivation methods, they developed banana plantations. They also fished the nearby Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). By 1947 it had a population of 450.[3]
Situated along a border shared with Syria, Ein Gev was shelled during the Battles of the Kinarot Valley and in other engagements during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Shooting incidents remained common for the next nineteen years. These dangers were only eliminated when Israel occupied the neighbouring Golan Heights in the 1967 Six-Day War.
Near the present-day village an important archaeological site from the MesolithicKebaran culture has been excavated.[4]
The Greco-Roman Decapolis city of Sussita/Hippos stood on the hill overlooking the kibbutz. The archaeological site is currently being excavated.[5]
Economy
The kibbutz operates a holiday resort and a fish restaurant. Agricultural branches include banana plantations and dairy farming. The kibbutz built a 2,500-seat concert hall to accommodate the Ein Gev Music Festival, held annually during Passover.[6]
Mendel Nun, expert on the history of the Sea of Galilee, initiator of the House of Anchors Fishing Museum, which he established in 1995. See one biography here