Kfar Yavetz is located southeast of Ein Vered, very close to the Arab towns of Tayibe, Tira, and Qalansuwa. Geographically, Kfar Yavetz lies within the Tel Mond bloc and is considered one of its settlements. In its early years, however, it was not included in the bloc’s activities and, according to archival records, had no representative on the bloc’s committee.
Despite its location among Arab villages, Kfar Yavetz did not have a permanent Haganah representative to organize security, and in the years leading up to the establishment of the State, it suffered frequent attacks. The security situation in the village is illustrated in an interview with a local resident.
In the early 1940's, Kfar Yavetz was an open village - its gates remained unlocked even at night. Relations with neighboring Arab villages were very good; trade was common, and people would visit one another’s villages. There was no need for guarding, and no security concerns were felt.
At the home of the Shlomo family, members of the Haganah, the Irgun (Etzel), and Lehi (Stern Group) trained - each unaware of the others’ presence. The reason for choosing this location was its remoteness from other Jewish settlements, which made it less likely to be monitored by the British, who rarely came there.
Village residents had basic firearms training, provided by Haganah instructors. Weapons were stockpiled in the village for emergencies and were hidden in the fields near the homes. The weapons were brought in from Kfar Hess and Ein Vered and smuggled in by the village bread delivery person, concealed in loaves of bread. Communication was done via signaling.
Between 1946 and 1947, relations with the Arab neighbors began to deteriorate, with increasing nationalist tensions. From that time until the War of Independence, Arabs launched several attacks on the village. In 1948, the women and children were evacuated, leaving only defenders behind.
Compared to the other settlements in the bloc, it seems Kfar Yavetz received less attention and support from national institutions. This may have been due to its affiliation with HaPoel HaMizrachi, unlike the other settlements in the bloc, which were affiliated with the Agricultural Center and the general agricultural settlement movement-where the defense organizations were rooted. Kfar Yavetz was, in effect, a finger stretching from the Jewish region into the Arab area.
Its relative distance from a major Jewish center (about 4 km from the Tel Mond bloc) and its proximity to Arab towns (about 2 km from Qalansuwa), combined with its small population, limited land, and modest fortifications-all these factors made it a tempting target for both local and foreign Arab attackers.
Semi-regular enemy forces were stationed in Tira, Qalansuwa, and Tayibe. Small enemy units often opened fire on Kfar Yavetz, especially at night. One Arab squad even occupied a large house that provided a strategic vantage point over the area.
Company A of Battalion 32 held the line, with three platoons stationed in Kfar Yona, Kfar Hess, and Kfar Yavetz. On Saturday, December 27, 1947, the platoon from Kfar Yona arrived in Kfar Yavetz following intelligence of a planned attack. However, the unit soon returned to Kfar Yona under protection. On the way, it was ambushed by a large Arab gang firing from the direction of Qalansuwa. The platoon retreated to Kfar Yavetz, and two of its members were killed.
Meanwhile, hundreds of armed Arabs from surrounding villages joined the battle, launching a heavy attack on Kfar Yavetz. The enemy forces stormed the village multiple times from the north and east and, for brief moments, managed to reach the fences.
The battle lasted around six hours. In total, about 600 attackers took part. All assaults on the village were repelled.
This was the first large-scale attack in the brigade’s area and posed a serious test for the defenders. However, the fact that, despite the enemy’s numerical and firepower superiority, the defenders held their ground and repelled the attack had a significant impact on enemy morale and on their commanders’ plans. This was the first link in a chain of attacks in which the Arabs met strong resistance, and the defenders’ resilience only grew.
From this first baptism of fire-when we pushed back the enemy who had reached the village fence-we gained many lessons that would serve us in the battles to come. Two soldiers fell in this attack.
Kfar Yavetz was attacked and shelled several more times during the War of Independence. Three more soldiers were killed in those attacks.
Source: Tel Mond Bloc Documentation Archive, Oron Tal, 2001, Seminar on Defense and Security in the Settlements of the Tel Mond Bloc (1929–1948), University of Haifa.