East of the Ben Gurion International Airport at Lod, near the Arab village of Medeah, is the assumed site of the graves of the Hasmonean heroes of Chanukah, popularly known as the Maccabees.

The actual place where they were buried is shrouded in mystery. In the past some thought it was at Tzova near Jerusalem, while others believed that it was at Latrun. It is only in the last century that researchers have decided that it is near the city of Modi'in, and since then it has become one of the most popular sites for Jewish visitors and for the IDF swearing-in ceremonies.

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