The Journey from Kh to H

Many people around the world who have been displaced feel deep longing for their homes and homeland. These emotions can be caused by wars, expulsions, poverty, or other reasons. In Israel, following the 1948 war, more than 500 Arab villages were emptied and destroyed, and their inhabitants expelled. However, the village of ‘Ayn Khud presents a unique and exceptional case, as the village structures and its fabric were preserved and turned into an artistic space, settled by new residents, while the original inhabitants became refugees just two kilometers away from their homes.

‘Ayn Khud became ‘Ayn Hod, and the new settlement established by the original inhabitants was named ‘Ayn Khud. Over the years, the residents faced many difficulties, from being an unrecognized village without basic infrastructure, to being unable to expand and develop due to land restrictions, as they were located in the heart of a national park. Despite these challenges, the residents did not give up. With strong willpower, they fought for their existence and rights, acted to improve their living conditions, and built a strong and supportive community.

The project proposes turning ‘Ayn Khud into an open, accessible, and socially just space, while strengthening the connection with the environment and revealing its historical narrative. Through tourism development, which includes adding residential units, promoting traditional and touristic agriculture, and establishing new public services – enhancing the status of ‘Ayn Khud in the region. Simultaneously, I propose regularizing the current situation in the village, with an emphasis on preserving the personal stories of the residents and making them known to the wider public. The ultimate goal is to turn ‘Ayn Khud into a vibrant and developed settlement that, on the one hand, preserves its roots and heritage, and on the other hand, looks toward the future and offers a high quality of life for its residents.