[2] In 1881, the PEF's Survey of Western Palestine (SWP) described it as "ruins of a modern Arab village, several rock-cut cisterns, and one wine-press"[3] In the 1940s, 2538 dunams of land were purchased by the Jewish National Fund from Asa'ad Bey Khuri of Beirut.

[4] The kibbutz was established in 1943 by members of the HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed youth group and young immigrants from Germany and Poland.

[6] In June 1948 the kibbutz requested land from the newly depopulated Palestinian village of Qadas, as it was "suitable for winter crops.

Manara is boasted to be 888 metres above sea level and is a rare style for a kibbutz, with apartments providing the accommodation, due to the limited space.

[citation needed] During the Israel–Hamas war, Hezbollah targeted northern Israeli border communities, forcing evacuations.