The nearby Palestinian town of Saffuriya had been almost emptied of its 4,000 inhabitants in July 1948. By early January, 1949, about 500 inhabitants had filtered back, but "neighbouring settlements coveted Saffuriya lands". The "Northern Front" ordered their eviction, which was carried out the 7 January 1949. From February and onwards in the same year, the land of Saffuriya was distributed to neighbouring Jewish settlements.[2]
The kibbutz HaSolelim was established in July 1949, with the name symbolising the wishes of the founders to pave the way for new settlements in the Land of Israel.[3] 3,795 dunams of Saffuriya's land was given to HaSolelim in late 1949.[2] HaSolelim is located west of the Saffuriya site.[4]
