Gadot Overlook – "Mizpe Gadot"

"Mizpe Gadot", the memorial site for the fallen of the Golan – The Alexandroni Brigade is located on a hill well known as a Syrian's strategic post named "El Murtapha" which means "The Exalted". This post was located there in order to prevent any possibility to attack Syria using main road No. 91, from "Daughters of Jacob Bridge" to Quneitra – the biggest city on the Golan Heights and the Syrian headquarters for the Golan Heights until it was taken from the Syrians in the Six Days War on 1967. In this post, taken by the Golan brigade soldiers, one can still find combat trenches, combat positions and old Syrian bunkers.

The memorial site, built in 1972, is a monument designed by Ezra Orion, the commander of the brigade's commando unit, and Gershon Knispal. The brigade has fallen from the Six day War throughout Yom Kippur War, the first and second Lebanon Wars and the fallen soldier's in-between those wars and other combat missions, are perpetuated in this memorial site.

This memorial site, the gate to the Golan Heights, attracts many visitors. Every day, tourists and hikers stop by the memorial site. The site is one of only two remaining ex-Syrian military posts in the Golan. It is easily accessible, offers amenities for people passing through (a snack bar, souvenir shop and public restrooms), and offers a magnificent observation point that clearly demonstrates the Syrian threat on our settlements at the foothills of the Golan.

The site includes a concrete monument, shaped like a military post, and offers a magnificent view of the entire Upper Galilee, from the inclines of Mt. Hermon to Mt. Dov and from the Beit Shean Valley to the slopes of the Eastern Galilee Mountains. With the assistance of the IDF and the Jewish National Fund, a path was paved through minefields and water pipes were laid to the site. Access road and parking lots were paved, as well as circumferential walking path, resting spots, group observation points and study corners.

Above the monument and to the west, on an observation point looking into Israel, towards Kibbutz Gadot, a stone was set, on which the words of Colonel Emanuel (Mano) Shaked, the brigade's Commander at that time, are engraved:  "From here you look so much bigger…". By these words, the commander refers to the courageous, non-compromising steadfastness of the civilian population, while suffering from casualties and property damage, through the many years the Syrians had total command of the territory below the Golan Heights.

Every year, the Association conducts a memorial ceremony for the brigade’s fallen soldiers with the participation of the bereaved families, IDF commanders, brigade reserves soldiers, veterans and guests.