Motza Illit
| Motza Illit | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Motza Illit | |
| Coordinates: 31°47′35.03″N 35°9′28.29″E / 31.7930639°N 35.1578583°ECoordinates: 31°47′35.03″N 35°9′28.29″E / 31.7930639°N 35.1578583°E | |
| Council | Mateh Yehuda |
| Region | Jerusalem corridor |
| Founded | 1933 |
| Founded by | Motza residents |
Motza Illit (Hebrew: מוֹצָא עִלִּית, מוצא עילית, lit. Upper Motza) is a Community settlement on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Israel. It falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Yehuda Regional Council. In 2006 it had a population of 785. Motza Illit overlooks Jerusalem mountains offering excellent views of Ein Karem monasteries, the Beit Zayit water reservoir, and the Jerusalem Forest. Motza has an active community and in recent years has attracted young families joining its community and country life style. Many of the people loving in Motza Ilit work in Jerusalem, including academics, artists, doctors and others.
Motza Illit is located over the Motza Valley, one of the Jerusalem hills only wide valleys, in which the Soreq Wadi (and river) flows in winter. It is surrounded by forest and Mediterranean oak chaparrel and the valley still maintains a wide range of wildlife, including birds, gazelles, foxes and other wildlife. The valley also has many wildflowers in winter and spring and the Jewish National Fund have restored ancient olive groves.
History
Settlement in the area goes back to ancient times, with thousands of year old terraces and archeological remains in the area. In 1929, Motza was attacked by its Arab neighbors and many residents were murdered. Four years later, a new moshav, Motza Ilit, was established at a higher location on the same hill.[1] In January 1934, a housewarming was held by twenty Jewish families who had built homes in Motza Illit with the aid of the Vaad Leumi and emergency funds.[2]