The Zionist and Christian mystic, Sir Lawrence Olipliant, was one of few outsiders close to the sect. In the late 19th century, he and his wife lived in Daliyat for fiva years, helping the Druze build their homes. Since 1980, the Israeli Defense Ministra has been paying for the restoration of OHphant’s house on the outskirts of town. !t is now a memorial to the scores of Druze soldiers killed in Israel’s wars. Although! street names are not used, anyone can direct you to Beit Oliphant. Sir Lawrencd sheltered Arab and Jewish insurgents against the British in the cave between thq sculpture garden in the rear and the main house. Oliphant’s secretary, the Hebrew] poet Naftali Hertz Imber, later wrote “HaTikva” (The Hope), Israel’s national anthem, at this site.

Four km from Daliyat al-Karmel, away from Usfiya, is the site where Elijah massa-J cred 450 priests of Ba’al. Muhraqa, the Arabic name, refers to the sacrifice (or “buniH ing") that Elijah offered God from an altar here. It was also from this Mount that Elijah’s servant sighted the rain cloud that relieved the land’s drought. The Carmelites saw the clouds as a symbol of the Virgin Mary, to whom they are devoted, id 1886 they built a There is no bus service to the monas-i tery; you’ll have to grab a taxi. If hiking from Daliyat (not advisable), bear left at thd only fork along the way or you’ll head toward Al-Yakim. The Stella Carmei Hospice’ in Usfiya organizes occasional walking tours to the site for pilgrims. The most eventful day at Muhraqa is the Feast of St. Elias (Elijah) July 20, when Christian Arab families part}’ in the park surrounding the monastery.