It was an open woodland dominated by Mount Tabor Oak (Quercus ithaburensis), which extended from Kfar Yona in the north to Ra’ananna in the south.

The intensification of settlement and agriculture in the coastal plain during the 19th century led to deforestation and subsequent environmental degradation known from Hebrew sources.

[2] Kfar Yona was established on lands in the Sharon plain purchased in 1932 from Mustafa Bushnaq and the Shanti family of Qalqilya.

In the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Kfar Yona was on the front lines, and its defenders faced the Iraqi Army, which sought to reach Netanya and cut the Jewish forces in Israel in half.

The Palestinian prisoners protested against poor quality food and meagre portions, against the ban on writing stationery, against being forced to call their jailers "sir," and to try and have their plastic sleeping mattresses replaced.

In Ramle the strike was ended when prisoners were thrown into solitary confinement, which at this time was considered a form of torture internationally and remains a policy of the Israeli government against Palestinians, including children.

The community building stands today empty and is falling into ruin, though the town council is interested in maintaining it for its sentimental and historical value.

Alef also includes a new neighborhood accessed from the western entrance to the village, with recently built family homes and more under construction.

This neighborhood includes single-family homes, wide streetsand several parks The community center operates a music conservatory and holds public concerts.