Difference between revisions of "Ashdod, Israel" - New World Encyclopedia

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{{Infobox Israel muni
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{{Infobox Israel municipality
 
|name=Ashdod
 
|name=Ashdod
|image=AshdodLogo.png
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|image=Flag of Ashdod.png
 
|imgsize=70
 
|imgsize=70
|caption=Coat of arms of Ashdod
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|image_caption=Skyline of Ashdod
 
|image3=Ashdod Monart2.JPG
 
|image3=Ashdod Monart2.JPG
 
|imgsize3=240
 
|imgsize3=240
|caption3=Ashdod MonArt Arts Centre.
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|caption3=Ashdod MonArt Arts Centre
|hebname={{Hebrew|אַשְׁדּוֹד}}
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|hebname=אַשְׁדּוֹד
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|ISO=ʔašdod
 
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|altUnoSp=
 
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|district=south
 
|district=south
|population=204,400
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|population=207,800<ref name="cbs populations">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2010/table3.pdf|publisher=[[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]]|title=Table 3 – Population of Localities Numbering Above 2,000 Residents|date=December 31, 2009|accessdate=June 28, 2010}}</ref>
|popyear=2005
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|population_footnotes= <ref name="cbs populations" /><!-- Please do not change this figure to provisional data or municipal statistics —>
|area=60,000
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|popyear=2009
|areakm=60
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|area=47242
|mayor=[[Zvi Zilker]]
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|mayor=[[Yehiel Lasri]]
 
}}
 
}}
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'''Ashdod''' ({{lang-he-n|אַשְׁדּוֹד}}; {{lang-ar|إسدود}}, ''Isdud''), located in the Southern District of [[Israel]] on the [[Mediterranean Sea]] coast, is a city of over 200,000 people located approximately 43.5 miles (70 km) from [[Jerusalem]] and [[Beer Sheba]]. Ashdod is an important regional industrial center. The Port of Ashdod is Israel's largest port, and is southern Israel's only outlet to the Mediterranean. The artificial port, enclosed by breakwaters, accounts for 60 percent of the country's imported goods, while much of the country's citrus crop is exported through it.
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The first documented settlement in Ashdod dates to the [[Canaan]]ite culture of seventeenth century B.C.E.,<ref>M. Dotan. ''Ashdod - Seven levels of excavations.'' ([[Israel]]: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624) (in Hebrew) </ref> making the city one of the most ancient in the world. During the city's history it was settled by [[Philistines]], [[Israelites]], [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]], [[Crusades|Crusaders]] and [[Arabs]]. <ref> O. Kolani, B.Raanan, M.Brosh, and S.Pipano. ''Events calendar in Israel and Ashdod.'' (Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624) (in Hebrew)</ref>
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{{toc}}
 
[[Image:Ashdod Israel Map.png|thumb]]
 
[[Image:Ashdod Israel Map.png|thumb]]
'''Ashdod''' ({{lang-he-n|אַשְׁדּוֹד}}; {{lang-ar|إسدود}}, ''Isdud''), located in the Southern District of [[Israel]] on the [[Mediterranean Sea]] coast, is a city of over 200,000 people located approximately {{km to mi|70}} from [[Jerusalem]] and [[Beer Sheba]]. Ashdod is an important regional industrial center. The Port of Ashdod is Israel's largest port, and is southern Israel's only outlet to the Mediterranean. The artificial port, enclosed by breakwaters, accounts for sixty percent of the country's imported goods, while much of the country's citrus crop is exported through it.
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Modern Ashdod was established in 1956 on the sand hills approximately 4.5 miles (7 km) north-northwest of the ancient archeological site, on the recent ruins of the Palestinian village of Isdud. It was incorporated as a city in 1968, with a land-area of approximately 23.2 square miles (60 sq km). Being a planned city, expansion followed a main development plan, which facilitated traffic and prevented [[air pollution]] in the residential areas, despite population growth. According to the [http://www1.cbs.gov.il/reader/cw_usr_view_Folder?ID=141 Israel Central Bureau of Statistics], Ashdod had a population of 204,400 at the end of 2006, making it the fifth largest city in Israel.  
 
The first documented settlement in Ashdod dates to the [[Canaan]]ite culture of 17th century B.C.E.,<ref name="Excavation">{{cite book|title=Ashdod - Seven levels of excavations|pages=91|language=Hebrew|author=M. Dotan|publisher=Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch|location=[[Israel]]|year=1990|ULI Sysno.=005093624 }}</ref> making the city one of the most ancient in the world. Ashdod is mentioned thirteen times in the Bible. During the history the city was settled by [[Philistines]], [[Israelites]], [[Byzantines]], [[Crusaders]] and [[Arabs]]. <ref name="EventsList"> {{cite book|title=Events calendar in Israel and Ashdod|pages=79|language=Hebrew|author= O.Kolani, B.Raanan, M.Brosh, S.Pipano|publisher=Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch|location=Israel|year=1990|ULI Sysno.=005093624 }}</ref>
 
 
 
Modern Ashdod was established in 1956 on the sand hills near the archeological site, and incorporated as a city in 1968, with a land-area of approximately {{km2 to sq mi|60}}. It is 4.5 miles (7 km) north-northwest of the ancient city ruins. Being a planned city, expansion followed a main development plan, which facilitated traffic and prevented [[air pollution]] in the residential areas, despite population growth. According to the [http://www1.cbs.gov.il/reader/cw_usr_view_Folder?ID=141 Israel Central Bureau of Statistics], Ashdod had a population of 204,400 at the end of 2006, makaing it the fifth largest city in Israel.
 
 
 
 
 
==History==
 
=== Ancient Ashdod ===
 
[[Image:Ashdod ancient.jpg|thumb|Ashdod in the early 19th century.]]
 
[[Image:Ashdod Mezuda Gate.JPG|thumb|right|[[Ashdod-Sea]] Fortress, Israel. Gate]]
 
[[Image:Plague in Ashod.jpg|thumb|Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665), French. The Plague of Ashdod, 1630. Oil on canvas, 148 x 198 cm. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France, Giraudon/Bridgeman Art Library.]]
 
Human settlement in Ashdod dates from the [[Paleolithic Age]]. Ashdod is mentioned in [[Ugaritic]] documents, the language of the ancient [[Canaan]]ites. At the end of the 13th century B.C.E. the [[Sea Peoples]] conquered and destroyed the city. By the beginning of the 12th century B.C.E. the [[Philistines]], generally thought to have been one of the Sea Peoples, ruled the city. During their reign, the city prospered and was a member of union of five Philistine city states.
 
 
 
In 950 B.C.E. Ashdod was destroyed during [[Siamun|Pharaoh Siamun]]'s conquest of the region. The city was not rebuilt until at least 815 B.C.E. Around 715 B.C.E., it was conquered by [[Sargon II]], who destroyed the city and exiled its residents. Jewish inhabitants of Ashdod were resettled in [[Medes|Media]] after their failed uprising attempt against Assyrian dominance. The records indicate that 27,290 Jews were forced to settle in Ecbatana ([[Hamadan]]) and [[Susa]] in South West [[Persia]]. <ref> Price, Massoume. 2001. [http://www.iranchamber.com/religions/articles/history_of_iranian_jews1.php A brief history of Iranian Jews] ''Iran Chamber Society''. Retrieved December 4, 2007. </ref>
 
 
 
''Asdûdu'' led the revolt of Philistines, Judeans, Edomites, and Moabites against Assyria after expulsion of king Akhimeti, whom Sargon had installed instead of his brother ''Azuri''. The city of Gath ''(Gimtu)'' belonged to the kingdom of Ashdod at that time.
 
 
 
An [[Assyria]]n general, Tartan, gained control of Ashdod in 711, ("In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and fought against Ashdod, and took it": ''Isaiah 20:1'') and forced the "usurper" ''Yamani'' to flee. Mitinti was king at the time of [[Sennacherib]], and Akhimilki in the reign of [[Esarhaddon]]. [[Psammetichus]] of [[Egypt]] is reported to have besieged the great city Azotus for twenty-nine years (''Herodotus, ii. 157''); the biblical references to ''the remnant of Ashdod'' (''Jeremiah 25:20''; cf ''Zephaniah 2:4'') are interpreted as an allusion to this event.
 
 
 
The city absorbed another blow in 605 B.C.E., when [[Nebuchadnezzar]] conquered it. In 539 B.C.E. the city was rebuilt by the Persians, but was conquered in the wars of [[Alexander of Macedon]] (''Nehemiah 13:23'').
 
 
 
According to the [[Book of Nehemiah]], the ''Ashdodites'' seem to represent the whole nation of the Philistines in the sixth century B.C.E., the ''speech of Ashdod'' (which the younger generation of the Jews are described as adopting) would simply be the general Philistine dialect. The historian Hugo Winckler explained the use of that name by the fact that Ashdod was the nearest of the Philistine cities to Jerusalem. <ref> Wilckner, Hugo. 1898. ''Geschichte Israels''. </ref>
 
 
 
The city prospered as ''Izotus'' under the [[Hellenism|Hellenistic]] rule, until the [[Maccabean revolt|Hasmonean Revolt]]. During the rebellion [[Judas Maccabeus]] arrived at its gates, but did not conquer it. He left it for his brother [[Jonathan Maccabaeus|Jonathan]], who conquered it in 147 B.C.E. and destroyed the [[Temple of Dagon]].  According to [[Josephus]] (''[[Antiquities of the Jews]]'' 13:15, volume 4), [[Alexander Jannæus]] possessed it. [[Pompey]] restored its independence by reconstructing its city walls, though it belonged to the dominion of [[Herod the Great|Herod]] and [[Salome]] (''Antiquities...'' 17:18, volume 9), and [[Vespasian]] had to later take it by force.
 
  
Despite its location four miles from the coast, both [[Ptolemy]] and Josephus described it as a maritime city. This curious description may refer to Ashdod's control of a separate shore-edge harbor, called ''[[Ashdod-Sea|Azotus Paraliyus]]'', or Ashdod-Sea (''Antiquities...'' 13:15, volume 4). The city's prominence continued until the seventh century, when  a [[Kal'at Al Mina|citadel]] was built in ''Azotus Paraliyus'' as a stronghold against the [[Byzantine navy]]. To the west of the wooded height on which the city stands, traces of the ancient harbor&mdash;now known as ''Minet el-Ḳal'a''&mdash;can still be seen.
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== Formation of modern Ashdod==
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Though the modern city of Ashdod takes its name from the ancient site 4.5 miles away, it is actually built on the recent ruins of a Palestinian village.
  
The [[Fatimids]] established a shore fortress and a village on the [[Tell]] of Ashdod. The location of the village on [[Via Maris]] enhanced the city's importance during the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] rule. In 1596 C.E., the population of Ashdod numbered about 413. At the beginning of the twentieth century the village was known as ''Esdūd'', with a population of about five thousand, specializing in agriculture and trade. <ref>''PalestineRemembered.com''. [http://www.palestineremembered.com/Gaza/Isdud/index.html Isdud, District of Gaza] Retrieved December 4, 2007.</ref>
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===Isdud===
 
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[[Image:Palestinian refugees.jpg|thumb|Palestinian refugees in 1948]]
===Biblical mentions===
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[[Image:Ashdod57.jpg|thumb|Ashdod in 1957]]
 
 
According to the bible, during the 10th century B.C.E. Ashdod became, along with all the kingdom of [[Philistia]] a patronage area of the [[Kingdom of Israel]] under the control of [[King David]]. Judah's claim upon Ashdod is mentioned in the [[Book of Joshua]] (''Joshua 15:46'').  
 
 
 
In the [[Book of Samuel]] Ashdod is mentioned (''I Samuel 6:17'') among the principal Philistine cities. After capturing the [[Ark of the Covenant]] from the Israelites, the Philistines took it to Ashdod, where it was placed in the temple of Dagon. The next morning [[Dagon]] was found prostrate, bowed down, before it; on being restored to his place, he was on the following morning again found prostrate and broken. The people of Ashdod were smitten with boils; a plague of mice was sent over the land (1 Samuel 6:5).
 
 
 
In the [[Book of Isaiah]] an [[Assyria]]n general named Tartan, sent by Sargon, gained control of Ashdod in 711. (''Isaiah 20:1'')
 
 
 
The capture of the city by King [[Uzziah]] shortly after 815 B.C.E. is mentioned within the text of the [[Book of Chronicles]] (''2 Chronicles 26:6'') and in the [[Book of Zechariah]] (''Zechariah 9:6''), speaking of the false Jews.
 
 
 
==HERE==
 
=== Modern times ===
 
[[Image:Ashdod57.jpg|thumb|Ashdod in 1957.]]
 
[[Image:BeginBlvd.JPG|thumb|View of [[Begin]] blvd.]]
 
 
[[Image:Ashdod Beach.jpg|thumb|Beach in Ashdod]]
 
[[Image:Ashdod Beach.jpg|thumb|Beach in Ashdod]]
[[Image:Ashdod 2005, rooftop view p2.JPG|thumb|Neighborhood 15. Mediterranean style buildings.]]
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[[Image:Ashdod 2005, rooftop view p2.JPG|thumb|Neighborhood 15. Mediterranean style buildings]]
 
 
Immediately before the [[1948 Arab-Israeli War]], the [[Egyptian Army]] took over Isdud, and the city became the northern-most advancement point of the [[Egypt]]ian forces. Egyptian and Israeli forces clashed in the surrounding area, with the Egyptians being halted at the [[Ad Halom]] bridge over the [[Lachish River]]. Israeli forces surrounded the city during [[Operation Yoav]], and shelled and bombed it from the air.<ref>{{cite book|title=Battle Sites in the Land of Israel|pages=p. 24|language=Hebrew|author=Carta Jerusalem|publisher=[[Carta (publisher)|Carta]]|location=[[Israel]]|year=2003|isbn=965-220-494-3}}
 
</ref> Fearing encirclement, Egyptian forces retreated on October 28, 1948 with a majority of the [[List of villages depopulated during the Arab-Israeli conflict#Arab villages#District of Gaza|city's]] [[Palestinian refugee|residents]].<ref>{{cite web | publisher = International Middle East media Center| title = From Isdud to Ashdod: One man's immigrant dream; another's refugee nightmare| date = 2006-04-13 | url = http://www.imemc.org/article/18022| accessdate=2007-09-21| language=}}</ref>
 
 
 
In 1953, surveyors and designers arrived at the desolate dunes near the mouth of [[Lachish River]] to choose a site to build a new [[power station]] in the south of the country (eventually "[[Eshkol Power Station|Eshkol A]]"). Its workers lived in the regional settlements [[Rehovot]] and [[Gedera]].
 
 
 
On May 1, 1956, then [[finance minister]] [[Levi Eshkol]] approved the establishment of a city of Ashdod. A daughter company of [[City-Builders Company Ltd.]], "Ashdod Company Ltd.," was created for that purpose by the end of the year by Oved Ben-Ami and Philipp Klotznik (USA).
 
  
The first settlers, twenty-two families of [[History of the Jews in Morocco|immigrants from Morocco]]<ref name="ModernT">{{cite book|title= Ashdod. From repatriants settlemnt to the City|pages=p.163|language=Hebrew|author=R.Yaniv|publisher=SPNI Ashdod branch|location=[[Israel]]|year=1990|ULI Sysno.=005093624 }}</ref> arrived in November 1956, and a group of [[History of the Jews in Egypt|immigrants from Egypt]] joined them. In July 1957, the government granted a 24,000 dunam (24 km²) concession, approximately 32 km from Tel Aviv, to the Ashdod Company Ltd., for building the modern city of Ashdod.<ref name="ModernT" />  
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The modern city of Ashdod was built on the ruins of the Palestinian village of Isdud, which had been destroyed in the [[Israel's War of Independence|1948 Arab-Israeli War]]. Just prior to the war, the Egyptian Army took over Isdud, and the city became the northern-most advancement point of the [[Egypt]]ian forces. Egyptian and Israeli forces clashed in the surrounding area, with the Egyptians being halted at the Ad Halom bridge over the [[Lachish River]]. Israeli forces surrounded the city during Operation Yoav, and shelled and bombed it from the air. Fearing encirclement, Egyptian forces retreated on October 28, 1948 with a majority of the city's residents. The town's 4,000 Palestinian inhabitants became refugees in such places as the [[West Bank]], [[Gaza]] and neighboring countries as the Jewish state was formed. <ref> ''International Middle East Media Center''. April 14, 2006.  [http://www.imemc.org/article/18022 From Isdud to Ashdod: One man's immigrant dream; another's refugee nightmare] Retrieved December 4, 2007. </ref>
  
The building of the [[Eshkol Power Station|Eshkol A]] power station in Ashdod was completed in 1958 and included 3 units: 2 units of 50 MW, and one unit of 45 MW (with the ability of sea water [[desalination]]).
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=== The planned city ===
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In 1953, surveyors and designers arrived at the desolate dunes near the mouth of [[Lachish River]] to choose a site to build a new power station in the south of the country (eventually "Eshkol A"). Its workers lived in the regional settlements [[Rehovot]] and [[Gedera]].
  
The first [[local council (Israel)|local council]] was appointed in October 1959. [[Dov Gur]] was appointed on behalf of the [[Israeli Ministry of Interior]] as the first local council head<ref name="Majors">{{cite book|title= Head of the local council and the city|pages=p.179|language=Hebrew|author=R.Yaniv|publisher=SPNI Ashdod branch|location=[[Israel]]|year=1990|ULI Sysno.=005093624 }}</ref>. The [[Magistrates' Court]] in the city was inaugurated in 1963, and, in January 1965, a contract between Ashdod Company and the General Health Maintenance Organization was signed regarding establishment of a hospital with 500 beds on an area of 250 dunams (250,000 )—a hospital which has yet to be established. The building of the [[port of Ashdod]] began in April 1961. The port was inaugurated in November 1963, and was utilized for the first time in November 1965 with the coming of the [[Sweden|Swedish]] ship "Wiengelgad"<ref name="ModernT" />.
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On May 1, 1956, then finance minister [[Levi Eshkol]] approved the establishment of the city of Ashdod. The first settlers, 22 families of Jewish immigrants from Morocco arrived in November 1956, and a group of immigrants from Egypt joined them. In July 1957, the government granted a 24,000 dunam (24 km²) concession, approximately 32 km from Tel Aviv, to the Ashdod Company Ltd., for building the modern city of Ashdod.
  
In 1964 the Ponevezher Rov, Rabbi [[Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman]] established the [[Ponevezh]] development, the first [[Hareidi]] neighbourhood in Ashdod. In 1978 a joint [[Belz (Hasidic dynasty)|Belz]]-[[Ger (Hasidic dynasty)|Ger]] estate was established in Neighbourhood 3 ''(Rova Gimel)''. The Lev Simcha [[Talmud Torah]] in Ashdod is the largest [[cheder]] in Israel. Today, the [[Tolna Rebbe]], [[Pittsburg (Hasidic dynasty)|Pittsburgher Rebbe]], [[Neshchiz]], and [[Melitzer Rebbe]]s reside in Ashdod.
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The building of the [[Eshkol Power Station|Eshkol A]] power station in Ashdod was completed in 1958 and included three units: two units of 50 MW, and one unit of 45 MW (with the ability of sea water [[desalination]]).
  
The explosive growth of the city began in 1991, with the massive arrival of [[Aliyah|immigrants]] from the [[History of the Jews in Russia and the Soviet Union|Soviet Union]] and infrastructure development. From 1990 to 2001 the city accepted more than 100,000 new inhabitants, a 150% growth.<ref name="Landver Data">{{cite web | publisher =The Center for Research and Information, [[Knesset]]| title = Data of population in the city of Ashdod| date = 2001-04-17 | url = http://www.knesset.gov.il/mmm/data/docs/m00121.rtf| format = Word| accessdate=2007-09-21| language=Hebrew}}</ref>
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The first [[local council (Israel)|local council]] was appointed in October 1959. [[Dov Gur]] was appointed on behalf of the [[Israeli Ministry of Interior]] as the first local council head. The building of the Port of Ashdod began in April 1961. The port was inaugurated in November 1963, and was utilized for the first time in November 1965 with the coming of the [[Sweden|Swedish]] ship ''Wiengelgad.''
  
== Planned City ==
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The [[Magistrates' Court]] in the city was inaugurated in 1963. In 1964 the Ponevezher Rov, Rabbi [[Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman]] established the [[Ponevezh]] development, the first [[Hareidi]] neighborhood in Ashdod. In 1978 a joint Belz (Hasidic dynasty)|Belz-Ger (Hasidic dynasty)|Ger estate was established in Neighbourhood 3 ''(Rova Gimel).'' The Lev Simcha Talmud Torah in Ashdod is the largest cheder (traditional elementary school teaching the basics of [[Judaism]] and the [[Hebrew language]]) in Israel. Today, the Tolna Rebbe, [[Pittsburg (Hasidic dynasty)|Pittsburgher Rebbe]], [[Neshchiz]], and [[Melitzer Rebbe]]s reside in Ashdod.
The modern  city of Ashdod city was built outside of the Ashdod historic sites on virgin sands. The development over the years followed a main [[development plan]]<ref name="city plan">{{cite web | publisher = The Society of Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch| title = Development Plan for city of Ashdod| Date = 2000 | url = http://www.geocities.com/parkholot3/mitaar.pdf| format = PDF }}{{he_icon}}</ref>. The planners divided the city into seventeen neighborhoods of ten to fifteen thousand people each. Wide avenues between the neighborhoods make traffic flow relatively freely inside the city. Each neighborhood has easy access to its own commercial center, [[urban park]], and health and education infrastructure. The plan also called for a [[central business district|business and administrative center]], but this had to wait until the mid-1990s when the city population grew rapidly, more than doubling in ten years.<ref name="Landver Data" />
 
  
Three [[industrial zone]]s were placed adjacent to the port in the northern part of the city, taking into account the prevailing southern winds which take [[air pollution]] out of the city<ref name="city plan" />. The plan had its problems, however, including asymmetric growth of upscale and poorer neighborhoods and the long-time lack of a main business and administrative center<ref name="cityplan lect">{{cite book|title=New lineation plan to the city of Ashdod|pages=p.29|language=Hebrew|author=J. Herz U. Fogel|publisher=SPNI Ashdod branch|location=[[Israel]]|year=1990|ULI Sysno.=005093624 }}</ref>.
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=== City development===
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The development of the city over the years followed a main development plan. The planners divided the city into 17 neighborhoods of ten to fifteen thousand people each. Wide avenues between the neighborhoods make traffic flow relatively freely inside the city. Each neighborhood has easy access to its own commercial center, [[urban park]], and health and education infrastructure. The plan also called for a central business and administrative center, but this had to wait until the mid-1990s when the city population grew rapidly, more than doubling in ten years.  
  
The city was planned for a maximum of 250,000 inhabitants, and an additional area in the south was reserved for further development<ref name="city plan" />. However, the southern border of the city was proclaimed a national [[nature reserve]], [[Ashdod Nitzanim Sand Dune Park]], which makes future city growth problematic, with the last of the seventeen neighborhoods of the development plan now under construction.
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Three [[industrial zone]]s were placed adjacent to the port in the northern part of the city, taking into account the prevailing southern winds which take [[air pollution]] out of the city. The plan had its problems, however, including asymmetric growth of upscale and poorer neighborhoods and the long-time lack of a main business and administrative center.  
  
==Climate==
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The city was planned for a maximum of 250,000 inhabitants, and an additional area in the south was reserved for further development. However, the southern border of the city was proclaimed a national [[nature reserve]], [[Ashdod Nitzanim Sand Dune Park]], which makes future city growth problematic, with the last of the 17 neighborhoods of the development plan now under construction.
Ashdod has a [[mediterranean]] climate with hot summers, pleasant spring and fall, and cool, rainy winters. Humidity tends to be high all year round, and rain occurs usually between October to May. In winter, temperatures seldom drop below 5°C and are more likely to be in the region of 10° to 15°C, while in summer the average is 27°C. The average annual rainfall is 510 [[millimeters]].
 
  
<center><!--Infobox begins—>{{Infobox Weather
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=== Growth ===
|metric_first=yes <!--Entering Yes will swap unit order to metric first. Leave blank for Imperial—>
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Ashdod, like many Israeli cities, has seen most of its growth as the result of absorption of immigrants. The first major group to move to the city were Jews of [[Morocco|Moroccan]] and [[Egypt]]ian descent. In the 1960s Ashdod accepted a large number of immigrants from [[Romania]], followed by a large number from [[Georgia (nation)|Georgia]] and [[India]] in the 1970s.
|single_line=yes <!--Entering Yes will compact the infobox vertically by placing some units on same line.—>
 
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|Jul_Lo_°F =69.1      |Jul_Lo_°C =20.6  |Jul_REC_Hi_°C =    |Jul_REC_Lo_°C =
 
|Aug_Lo_°F =70.5      |Aug_Lo_°C =21.4  |Aug_REC_Hi_°C =    |Aug_REC_Lo_°C =
 
|Sep_Lo_°F =68.2      |Sep_Lo_°C =20.1  |Sep_REC_Hi_°C =    |Sep_REC_Lo_°C =
 
|Oct_Lo_°F =63.5      |Oct_Lo_°C =17.5  |Oct_REC_Hi_°C =    |Oct_REC_Lo_°C =
 
|Nov_Lo_°F =55.6      |Nov_Lo_°C =13.1  |Nov_REC_Hi_°C =    |Nov_REC_Lo_°C =
 
|Dec_Lo_°F =49.6      |Dec_Lo_°C =9.8  |Dec_REC_Hi_°C =    |Dec_REC_Lo_°C =
 
 
|Jan_Precip_inch = 51.0
 
|Feb_Precip_inch = 39.3
 
|Mar_Precip_inch = 24.5
 
|Apr_Precip_inch = 7.1
 
|May_Precip_inch = 1.2
 
|Jun_Precip_inch = 0
 
|Jul_Precip_inch = 0
 
|Aug_Precip_inch = 0
 
|Sep_Precip_inch = 0.9
 
|Oct_Precip_inch = 7.6
 
|Nov_Precip_inch = 27.8
 
|Dec_Precip_inch = 45.7
 
<!--****If the source reports in metric units, use the unit reported by the source—mm or cm ****—>
 
 
|Jan_Precip_cm =      |Jan_Precip_mm = 127.9
 
|Feb_Precip_cm =      |Feb_Precip_mm = 98.6
 
|Mar_Precip_cm =      |Mar_Precip_mm = 61.4
 
|Apr_Precip_cm =      |Apr_Precip_mm = 17.8
 
|May_Precip_cm =      |May_Precip_mm = 3.0
 
|Jun_Precip_cm =      |Jun_Precip_mm = 0
 
|Jul_Precip_cm =      |Jul_Precip_mm = 0
 
|Aug_Precip_cm =      |Aug_Precip_mm = 0
 
|Sep_Precip_cm =      |Sep_Precip_mm = 2.3
 
|Oct_Precip_cm =      |Oct_Precip_mm = 19.0
 
|Nov_Precip_cm =      |Nov_Precip_mm = 69.8
 
|Dec_Precip_cm =      |Dec_Precip_mm = 114.7
 
|source =[[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]] <ref>{{cite web
 
| url =http://www1.cbs.gov.il/shnaton57/st01_03x.pdf | title=Monthly Average of Daily Maximum and Minimum Temperature |publisher=Israel Central Bureau of Statistics |work=Statistical Abstract of Israel 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 
| url =http://www1.cbs.gov.il/shnaton57/st01_04.pdf | title=Precipitation |publisher=Israel Central Bureau of Statistics |work=Statistical Abstract of Israel 2006 }}</ref>
 
|accessdate =
 
<!--For a second source—>
 
|source2 =
 
|accessdate2 =
 
}}<!--Infobox ends—></center>
 
 
== Economy ==
 
=== Industry ===
 
[[Image:LazerLight.JPG|thumb|The Laser Light Tower in the city center]]
 
[[Image:SeaMall2.JPG|thumb|Sea mall main entrance]]
 
 
Ashdod is one of the most important industrial centers in Israel. All industrial activities in the city are located in northern areas such as the port area, the northern industrial zone, and around the Lachish River. The [[Ashdod Port|port of Ashdod]] is the largest port in [[Israel]], handling about sixty percent of Israel's port cargo. It was mainly upgraded in recent years and will be able to provide berths for [[Panamax]] ships.
 
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.port-technology.com/projects/ashdod/|
 
title=Ashdod Port Development, Israel|
 
publisher=Port Technology|
 
accessdate=2007-09-20}}
 
</ref><ref>
 
{{cite web|url=http://www.israports.org.il/dev/yovel.asp|
 
title=Eitan Port - A NIS 3 Billion Project Among Israel's Largest Infrastructure Projects|
 
publisher=Ports and Railways Authority|
 
accessdate=2007-09-20}}
 
</ref>
 
Various shipping companies offices are also located in the port area which also is home to a [[Eshkol Power Station|Eshkol A]] power station and [[coal]] terminal.
 
 
The Northern industrial zone is located on [[Highway 41 (Israel)|Highway 41]] and includes various industry including an [[oil refinery]], which is one of only two in the country. The heavy industry zone located south of the [[Lachish River]] was once the main industrial center in Ashdod. Recently, however, leisure facilities have moved into the area. There is still some industry here, however, such as a [[Teva Pharmaceutical Industries]] plant, construction components producer [[Ashtrom]], and [[Solbar]] a [[Soybean#Oil|soybean oil]] producer. Ashdod is also home to [[Elta]], a part of [[Israel Aircraft Industries]] where [[radar]] equipment, [[electronic warfare]] systems, and [[ELINT]] are developed.
 
 
=== Shopping ===
 
Historically each neighborhood of Ashdod had its own commercial center and at different times some of these centers became the main shopping areas of the city such as Rogozin St. during the 1980's. In 1990, however, when the [[mall]] culture developed in Israel, the main commercial activity in Ashdod moved to malls.
 
 
The first mall to open in Ashdod was the Forum Center which was built in the industrial zone and was very popular until additional malls were built in the residential neighborhoods. Restaurants, bars and night clubs were opened in the area which is one of the most popular recreation zones in the city. Today, the Forum center is mainly used for offices.
 
 
Lev Ashdod Mall was opened in 1993 and soon became the most popular shopping and recreation place among the population of Ashdod<ref>{{cite web | last = kenyonim.com| title = "Lev Ashdod Mall"|url = http://www.kenyonim.com/mall.asp?mid=11}} {{he_icon}}</ref>. The mall has been extended and upgraded in the years since its opening. Lev Ashdod Mall was followed two years later by Ashdod Mall which opened in 1995 and was at the time the biggest mall in the city. Despite this fact, however, it was not successful and is currently being closed and redesigned.
 
<ref>{{cite web | last = Ashdod News| title = "Ashdod Mall closed its gates"| date = 2005-12-01 |url = http://www.ashdodnews.co.il/economic_p2.asp?page_id=107&page_id_2=4286|accessdate=2007-09-29| }} {{he_icon}}</ref>
 
 
City Mall was opened in a combined building with the central bus station in 1996<ref>{{cite web | last = kenyonim.com| title = "City Mall, Ashdod"|url = http://www.kenyonim.com/mall.asp?mid=58}} {{he_icon}}</ref>, following the examples of the [[Tel Aviv Central Bus Station]] and the [[Jerusalem Central Bus Station]]. Due to its location in the city center it is highly popular and was upgraded in 2007.
 
 
The Sea Mall is a new three floor mall. It is located in a modern building near the government offices and also has a [[climbing]] wall and [[cinema]].
 
 
Finally, Star Center is a new shopping center which has proven to be popular to the extent that it doubles in size in 2007<ref>{{cite web | publisher = Debby Communications Ltd| title = Filgar broaden Star Center cite in Ashdod| date = 2006 | url = http://www.debby.co.il/uploads/%D7%97%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%AA%20%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%92%D7%A8%20%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%97%D7%99%D7%91%D7%94%20%D7%90%D7%AA%20%D7%9E%D7%AA%D7%97%D7%9D%20%D7%94%D7%A1%D7%98%D7%90%D7%A8%20%D7%A1%D7%A0%D7%98%D7%A8%20%D7%91%D7%90%D7%A9%D7%93%D7%95%D7%93.doc| format = Word| accessdate=2007-09-25}} {{he_icon}}</ref>
 
.
 
 
== Transportation ==
 
=== Roads ===
 
[[Image:Ashdod Sail square2.JPG|thumb|The view toward [[Ashdod Marina|marina]]]]
 
 
Ashdod is located on the historic [[Via Maris]]. [[Highway 4 (Israel)|Highway 4]] was developed following this route along the southern sea shore of Israel; it serves as the main connection to the north, towards the [[Gush Dan|Tel Aviv metropolitan area]], and to the south, towards [[Ashkelon]].
 
 
[[Ad Halom]] junction was planned as the main entrance to the city from the east.<ref name="cityplan lect" /> The junction was poorly planned and built, including a grade-level railway crossing less than 100 meters from the intersection with Highway 4 and a dangerous intersection with the nearby railway station's access road, and it currently suffers from heavy [[traffic congestion|congestion]]. An [[interchange]] is under construction, planned to open in 2009. <ref name="press">{{cite web|url=http://www.mof.gov.il/beinle/press217.doc|
 
title=Government approved today (11/12/05) Minister of Finance and Minister of Transport proposal for a five-year plan for the design, development, paving, safety and maintenance of intercity roads, at a volume of NIS 19 billion| date=2005-12-11| publisher=Israeli Ministries of Finance and Transport| format=Word| accessdate=2007-09-20}}</ref>
 
The interchange is intended to continue the [[freeway]] section of Highway 4 further south by removing the traffic light at this junction, and it will also utilize [[grade separation]] with the railway.<ref name="press"/>
 
 
The other main road in the area is Highway 41 which served the city from the start of its modern history. This road runs from west to east towards [[Gedera]] and it is the main transport link to the [[Ashdod Port|port of Ashdod]] and the industrial zones, and connects to Highway 4 with an interchange.
 
 
=== Railroad ===
 
{{main|Ashdod Ad Halom Railway Station}}
 
The passenger railroad connection to Ashdod opened in 1992<ref name="railway">{{cite web|url=http://www.railnewsil.com/follow-up/ashd-plesh/ashd-plesh_main.htm| title= The duplication of section Pleshet jnct. - Ashdod, Ad Halom and upgrading of railway station Ashdod, Ad Halom | date=2004-05-30| publisher=Raiway News Israel| language= Hebrew| accessdate=2007-09-26}}</ref> after the renovation of the historical railway to [[Egypt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.israrail.org.il/english/index.html| title= General Information - Milestones| date=| publisher=[[Israel Railways]] official cite| accessdate=2007-09-26}}</ref> Ashdod railway station is on [[Israel Railways]]' [[Binyamina]]/[[Netanya]] - [[Tel Aviv]] - [[Ashkelon]] line and it is located near [[Ad Halom]] Junction. The station was upgraded in 2003<ref name="railway" /> when a new terminal building was built. The station is modern and has all the usual facilities, but road access to it is old and clumsy. A new access road is currently under construction<ref>{{cite book|title=News. Access road to railway station |web=http://www.s-t.org.il/info.asp?id=-1349075013|publisher=Transport Today & Tomorrow, Vol.14|year=2006}}{{he_icon}}</ref>.
 
 
There is also heavy freight traffic in the area. [[Ashdod Port|Port of Ashdod]] has its own railway [[branch line]] as well as a special terminal for [[potash]] brought from the [[Sodom]] area and exported abroad.
 
[[Image:CityMall1.JPG|thumb|The central bus station]]
 
 
=== Buses ===
 
 
The new central [[bus station]] opened in 1996. It serves as the terminus both for inter- and intracity lines. The building also includes a small but popular [[shopping mall]]. The bus lines connect the city with all major population centers in [[Israel]]. These routes are served by [[Connex]], [[Metropoline]], and the [[Egged Bus Cooperative]].
 
 
=== Sea Transport ===
 
 
There is a passenger pier in the [[Port of Ashdod]]. The traffic at this gateway is constantly growing, especially due to [[cruise ship]] activities. The other sea gateway is the newly opened [[Ashdod Marina|Blue Marina]].
 
 
 
== Demographics ==
 
=== Population ===
 
 
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:15px;"
 
|-
 
|-
Line 234: Line 73:
 
! Population
 
! Population
 
|-----
 
|-----
| 1961 || align="center" | 4,600<ref>{{cite web | last = [[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]] |title = Israel in Figures, Population|url = http://www.cbs.gov.il/israel_in_figures/population.htm}}</ref>
+
| 1961 || align="center" | 4,600 <ref> ''Israel Central Bureau of Statistics''. [http://www.cbs.gov.il/israel_in_figures/population.htm Israel in Figures, Population] Retrieved December 4, 2007. </ref>
 
|-----
 
|-----
 
| 1972 || align="center" | 40,300
 
| 1972 || align="center" | 40,300
 
|-----
 
|-----
| 1983 || align="center" | 65,700<ref>{{cite web | last = City Population|title = The districts of Israel and all Israeli cities of more than 20,000 inhabitants|url = http://www.citypopulation.de/Israel.html}}</ref>
+
| 1983 || align="center" | 65,700 <ref> ''City Population''. [http://www.citypopulation.de/Israel.html The districts of Israel and all Israeli cities of more than 20,000 inhabitants] Retrieved December 4, 2007. </ref>
 
|-----
 
|-----
 
| 1990 || align="center" | 83,900
 
| 1990 || align="center" | 83,900
Line 250: Line 89:
 
| 2001 || align="center" | 187,000
 
| 2001 || align="center" | 187,000
 
|-----
 
|-----
| 2003 || align="center" | 192,200<ref>{{cite web | last = Jewish Virtual Library |title = Latest Population Figures for Israel |url = http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/newpop.html#_ftnref3}}</ref>
+
| 2003 || align="center" | 192,200 <ref> ''Jewish Virtual Library''. [http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/newpop.html#_ftnref3 Latest Population Figures for Israel] Retrieved December 4, 2007. </ref>
 
|-----
 
|-----
 
| 2006 || align="center" | 204,400
 
| 2006 || align="center" | 204,400
 
|}
 
|}
  
According to the [[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]], Ashdod had a population of about 204,400 at the end of 2006, making it the fifth largest city in Israel.<ref>{{cite web | last = [[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]] estimate as of the end of June 2006 | title = TABLE 3. -  POPULATION(1) OF LOCALITIES NUMBERING ABOVE 1,000 RESIDENTS|publisher = [[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics|CBS]] | date = July 2005 | url = http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2007/table3.xls#G339 | format = Excel}}</ref> The annual population growth rate is 2.6% and the ratio of women to men is 1,046 to 1,000.
+
[[Image:LAMimunia.JPG|thumb|left|LaMimunia [[History of the Jews in Morocco|Moroccan]] culture center.]]
 +
The explosive growth of the city began in 1991, with the massive arrival of immigrants from the [[Soviet Union]] coupled with infrastructure development. More than 60,000 Jews immigrated from the former Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Recent demographic figures suggest that about 32 percent of the city's population are new immigrants, 85 percent of whom are originally from the former Soviet Union. From 1990 to 2001 the city accepted more than 100,000 new inhabitants, a 150 percent growth. <ref>''Ashdod Municipality.'' [http://www.ashdod.muni.il/htmls/english/Openning_eng.asp Absorption and immigration] Retrieved December 4, 2007. </ref>
 +
 
 +
During the 1990s the city also absorbed a large number of Jews of [[Ethiopia]]n descent, and in more recent years the city has seen an influx of Jewish immigrants from [[France]] and [[Argentina]]. Ashdod also receives a significant amount of internal migration, especially from the [[Gush Dan]] region.
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
=== Ancient Ashdod ===
 +
[[Image:Ashdod ancient.jpg|thumb|Ashdod in the early nineteenth century.]]
 +
[[Image:Ashdod Mezuda Gate.JPG|thumb|right|[[Ashdod-Sea]] Fortress, Israel. Gate]]
 +
[[Image:Plague in Ashod.jpg|thumb|Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665), French. The Plague of Ashdod, 1630. Oil on canvas, 148 x 198 cm. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France, Giraudon/Bridgeman Art Library.]]
 +
Human settlement in Ashdod dates from the [[Paleolithic Age]]. Ashdod is mentioned in [[Ugaritic]] documents, the language of the ancient [[Canaan]]ites. At the end of the thirteenth century B.C.E. the [[Sea Peoples]] conquered and destroyed the city. By the beginning of the twelfth century B.C.E. the [[Philistines]], generally thought to have been one of the Sea Peoples, ruled the city. During their reign, the city prospered and was a member of union of five Philistine city states.
 +
 
 +
In 950 B.C.E. Ashdod was destroyed during [[Siamun|Pharaoh Siamun]]'s conquest of the region. The city was not rebuilt until at least 815 B.C.E. Around 715 B.C.E.., it was conquered by [[Sargon II]], who destroyed the city and exiled its residents. Jewish inhabitants of Ashdod were resettled in [[Medes|Media]] after their failed uprising attempt against Assyrian dominance. The records indicate that 27,290 Jews were forced to settle in Ecbatana ([[Hamadan]]) and [[Susa]] in South West [[Persia]]. <ref>Massoume Price. 2001. [http://www.iranchamber.com/religions/articles/history_of_iranian_jews1.php A brief history of Iranian Jews] ''Iran Chamber Society''. Retrieved December 4, 2007. </ref>  
  
The population age distribution was recorded as 19.7% under the age of 10, 15.7% from age 10 to 19, 14.9% from 20 to 29, 19.1% from 30 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% were 65 or older. The population of Ashdod is significantly younger than the Israeli average because of the large number of young couples living in the city.
+
''Asdûdu'' led the revolt of Philistines, Judeans, Edomites, and Moabites against Assyria after expulsion of king Akhimeti, whom [[Sargon]] had installed instead of his brother ''Azuri.'' The city of Gath ''(Gimtu)'' belonged to the kingdom of Ashdod at that time.  
  
The city is ranked medium-low in socio-economic grading, with a rating of 4 out of 10. 56.1% of 12th grade students in Ashdod were eligible for matriculation certificates in 2000. The average salary in 2000 was [[New Israeli sheqel|NIS]] 4,821  compared to the national average of NIS 6,835.
+
An [[Assyria]]n general, Tartan, gained control of Ashdod in 711, ("In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and fought against Ashdod, and took it" : ''Isaiah 20:1'') and forced the "usurper" ''Yamani'' to flee. Mitinti was king at the time of [[Sennacherib]], and Akhimilki in the reign of [[Esarhaddon]]. [[Psammetichus]] of [[Egypt]] is reported to have besieged the great city Azotus for 29 years ''(Herodotus, ii. 157)''; the biblical references to ''the remnant of Ashdod'' (''Jeremiah 25:20''; cf. ''Zephaniah 2:4'') are interpreted as an allusion to this event.
  
=== Origins ===
+
The city absorbed another blow in 605 B.C.E., when [[Nebuchadnezzar]] conquered it. In 539 B.C.E. the city was rebuilt by the Persians, but was conquered in the wars of [[Alexander of Macedon]] ''(Nehemiah 13:23).''
  
Ashdod, like many Israeli cities, has seen much of its growth as the result of absorption of [[Aliyah|immigrants]]. The first major group to move to the city were Jews of [[History of the Jews in Morocco|Moroccan]] and [[History of the Jews in Egypt|Egyptian]] descent<ref name="ModernT" />. In the 1960s Ashdod accepted a large number of immigrants from [[History of the Jews in Romania|Romania]], followed by a large number from [[Georgian Jews|Georgia]]<ref name="ModernT" /> and [[History of the Jews in India|India]] in the 1970s. More than 60,000 Jews [[History of the Jews in Russia and the Soviet Union#The collapse of the Soviet Union and emigration to Israel|immigrated]] to Ashdod from the former [[Soviet Union]] in the early 1990s. Recent demographic figures suggest that about 32%<ref>{{cite web | last = Ashdod Municipality| title = Absorption and immigration| | url = http://www.ashdod.muni.il/htmls/english/Openning_eng.asp}}</ref> of the city's population are new immigrants, 85% of whom are originally from the former Soviet Union.
+
According to the [[Book of Nehemiah]], the ''Ashdodites'' seem to represent the whole nation of the Philistines in the sixth century B.C.E.., the "speech of Ashdod" (which the younger generation of the Jews are described as adopting) would simply be the general Philistine dialect. The German archaeologist and historian Hugo Winckler explained the use of that name by the fact that Ashdod was the nearest of the Philistine cities to Jerusalem. <ref>Hugo Wilckner. 1898. ''Geschichte Israels.'', 224 (in German) </ref>
[[Image:LAMimunia.JPG|thumb|right|LaMimunia [[History of the Jews in Morocco|Moroccan]] culture center.]]
 
  
During the 1990s the city absorbed a large number of Jews of [[Beta Israel|Ethiopian]] descent, and in more recent years Ashdod has absorbed a large number of immigrants from [[History of the Jews in France|France]] and [[History of the Jews in Argentina|Argentina]].
+
The city prospered as ''Izotus'' under the [[Hellenism|Hellenistic]] rule, until the [[Maccabean revolt|Hasmonean Revolt]]. During the rebellion [[Judas Maccabeus]] arrived at its gates, but did not conquer it. He left it for his brother [[Jonathan Maccabaeus|Jonathan]], who conquered it in 147 B.C.E. and destroyed the [[Temple of Dagon]].  According to [[Flavius Josephus]] (''Antiquities of the Jews'' 13 (15), volume 4), [[Alexander Jannæus]] possessed it. [[Pompey]] restored its independence by reconstructing its city walls, though it belonged to the dominion of [[Herod the Great|Herod]] and [[Salome]] (''Antiquities of the Jews'' 17(18), volume 9), and [[Vespasian]] had to later take it by force.
  
Ashdod also receives a significant amount of internal migration<ref>{{cite web | last = [[Israel Central Bureau of Statistics]] |title = Internal migration in Israel|url = http://www.cbs.gov.il/publications/in_migration02/pdf/e_print.pdf|ISSN = 0793-5382}}</ref>, especially from the [[Gush Dan]] region.
+
Despite its location four miles from the coast, both [[Ptolemy]] and Josephus described it as a maritime city. This curious description may refer to Ashdod's control of a separate shore-edge harbor, called ''[[Ashdod-Sea|Azotus Paraliyus]],'' or Ashdod-Sea (''Antiquities of the Jews'' 13(15) volume 4). The city's prominence continued until the seventh century, when  a [[Kal'at Al Mina|citadel]] was built in ''Azotus Paraliyus'' as a stronghold against the [[Byzantine navy]]. To the west of the wooded height on which the city stands, traces of the ancient harbor&mdash;now known as ''Minet el-Ḳal'a''&mdash;can still be seen.
  
=== Religion ===
+
The [[Fatimids]] established a shore fortress and a village on the [[Tell]] of Ashdod. The location of the village on [[Via Maris]] enhanced the city's importance during the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] rule. In 1596 C.E., the population of Ashdod numbered about 413. At the beginning of the twentieth century the village was known as ''Esdūd,'' with a population of about five thousand, specializing in agriculture and trade. <ref>''PalestineRemembered.com''. [http://www.palestineremembered.com/Gaza/Isdud/index.html Isdud, District of Gaza] Retrieved December 4, 2007.</ref>
  
Over 95% of Ashdod's population is Jewish, over 30% of whom are religiously observant. Despite this, the city is generally secular, although most of the non-Jewish population is a result of mixed marriages. The large [[Haredi]] community of the city live mainly in Neighborhood 7 (Rova Za'in) which is specially dedicated for their needs with [[Talmud Torah]], [[Cheder]], [[Mikvah]] and other religious institutions.
+
===Biblical mentions===
  
Ashdod is home to a wide range of synagogues, catering to the religious diversity of its population. The city is home to the world's largest<ref>{{cite web | last = Last Days Reporters | title = 7 Stages of the beginning of Judaism| | url = http://www.lastdaysreporter.com/beginning-judaism-relig.html}}</ref> [[Karaite]] community, about five thousand strong. There is also a Scandinavian Seamen [[Protestant]] [[church]], established by Norwegian [[Righteous Among the Nations]] pastor [[Per Faye-Hansen]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Per Faye-Hansen| url=http://www1.yadvashem.org/righteous/bycountry/norway.html| last=Righteous Among the Nations| first=Norway| date=| accessdate=2007-09-26| publisher=[[Yad Vashem]] The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Per Faye-Hansen recognised as Righteous Among the Nations| url=http://www.norway.org.il/bilateral/culture/Faye-Hansen.htm| last=Bilateral Relations| first=| date=| accessdate=2007-09-26| publisher=Norway - the official cite in Israel}}</ref>
+
According to the bible, during the 10th century B.C.E.. Ashdod became, along with all the kingdom of [[Philistia]] a patronage area of the [[Kingdom of Israel]] under the control of [[King David]]. Judah's claim upon Ashdod is mentioned in the [[Book of Joshua]] (Joshua 15:46).  
  
 +
In the [[Book of Samuel]] Ashdod is mentioned (I Samuel 6:17) among the principal Philistine cities. After capturing the [[Ark of the Covenant]] from the Israelites, the Philistines took it to Ashdod, where it was placed in the temple of Dagon. The next morning [[Dagon]] was found prostrate, bowed down, before it; on being restored to his place, he was on the following morning again found prostrate and broken. The people of Ashdod were smitten with boils; a plague of mice was sent over the land (1 Samuel 6:5).
  
<gallery>
+
In the [[Book of Isaiah]] an [[Assyria]]n general named Tartan, sent by Sargon, gained control of Ashdod in 711. (Isaiah 20:1)
Image:Orot Haim.JPG|Orot Haim [[Kolel]].
 
Image:Kolel1.JPG|[[Kolel]] in 7th neighborhood.
 
Image:Karaim sinagog Ashdod.jpg|The Karaite Synagogue.
 
Image:Skan Seaman Church.JPG|The Scandinavian Seamen Church
 
  
</gallery>
+
The capture of the city by King [[Uzziah]] shortly after 815 B.C.E. is mentioned within the text of the [[Book of Chronicles]] (2 Chronicles 26:6) and in the [[Book of Zechariah]] (Zechariah 9:6), speaking of the false Jews.
  
== Government ==
+
== Present day statistics ==
 +
=== Government ===
 
[[Image:Ashdod City Hall.JPG|thumb|City Hall]]
 
[[Image:Ashdod City Hall.JPG|thumb|City Hall]]
The Ashdod [[city council|City Council]] has twenty-five elected members, one of whom is the mayor. The mayor serves a five-year term and appoints six deputies. The current mayor of Ashdod, [[Zvi Zilker]] was last elected in 2003 and has been in office continuously since 1989.<ref name=Haaretz> [http://news.haaretz.co.il/hasite/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=354742 Local council elections 2003 results.] Haaretz (October 29, 2003). {{he_icon}}</ref> Within the city council there are various factions representing different population groups, both secular and religious. The headquarters of the Ashdod Municipality and the mayor's office are at city hall. This new municipal building is located in the main culture and business area.
+
[[Image:LazerLight.JPG|thumb|The Laser Light Tower in the city center]]
 +
[[Image:Waters off Ashdod.jpg|thumb|Waters off Ashdod]]
 +
[[Image:Ashdod Sail square2.JPG|thumb|The view toward [[Ashdod Marina|marina]]]]
 +
[[Image:CityMall1.JPG|thumb|The central bus station]]
 +
The Ashdod City Council has twenty-five elected members, one of whom is the mayor. The mayor serves a five-year term and appoints six deputies. Within the city council there are various factions representing different population groups, both secular and religious. The headquarters of the Ashdod Municipality and the mayor's office are at city hall. The municipal building is located in the main culture and business area.
  
=== Mayors ===
+
=== Economy ===
* [[Robert Hayim]] was chosen to the council chairmanship in the first municipal elections, in 1961<ref name="Majors" /> .
+
Ashdod is one of the most important industrial centers in Israel. All industrial activities in the city are located in northern areas such as the port area, the northern industrial zone, and around the Lachish River. The Port of Ashdod is the largest port in the country, handling about sixty percent of Israel's port cargo. Various shipping companies offices are also located in the port area which also is home to the Eshkol A power station and [[coal]] terminal.
* 1963 - [[Avner Garin]]
 
* 1969 - [[Zvi Zilker]]
 
* 1983 - [[Aryeh Azulay]]
 
* 1989 - [[Zvi Zilker]]
 
  
== Culture ==
+
The Northern industrial zone includes various [[industry]] including an [[oil refinery]], which is one of only two in the country. The heavy industry zone located south of the [[Lachish River]] was once the main industrial center in Ashdod. Recently, however, leisure facilities have moved into the area. There is still some industry here, however, such as a [[Teva Pharmaceutical Industries]] plant, construction components producer [[Ashtrom]], and [[Solbar]], a soybean oil producer. Ashdod is also home to [[Elta]], a part of [[Israel Aircraft Industries]] where [[radar]] equipment, [[electronic warfare]] systems, and [[ELINT]] are developed.
=== Music and theatre ===
 
  
Ashdod is home to the Israeli [[Andalusian classical music|Andalusian Orchestra]] which performs music originating in [[Andalusia]], a blend of Western and Arabic music. The orchestra was awarded the [[Israel Prize]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web| title=Israel Prize awarded to Dvora Omer| url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3236001,00.html| last= Barnea| first=Or| date=2006-04-04| accessdate=2007-09-16| publisher=Ynet}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Israel Prize Recipients 2006- Israeli Andalusit Orchestra| url=http://cms.education.gov.il/educationcms/units/prasisrael/tashsav/tizmoretandalusit/nimokyhsoftimandalusit.htm| language=Hebrew| publisher=Israel Ministry of Education| accessdate=2007-09-16}}</ref>
+
=== Transportation ===
 +
Ashdod is located on the historic [[Via Maris]], one of the most important trade routes in the Middle East during ancient times. Israel's Highway 4 was developed following this route along the southern sea shore it serves as the main connection to the north, towards the [[Tel Aviv]] metropolitan area, and to the south, towards [[Ashkelon]]. The other main road in the area is Highway 41 which served the city from the start of its modern history. This road runs from west to east towards [[Gedera]] and it is the main transport link to the Port of Ashdod and the industrial zones, and connects to Highway 4 with an interchange.
  
The ACADMA [[College or university school of music|conservatory]], a professional educational institute for music and performance studies is based in Ashdod. Operated under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, the institute was established in 1966<ref>{{cite web| title=Sounds from the South| url=http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/2000_2009/2002/7/Sounds%20from%20the%20South| last= Yannai| first=Bezalel| date=2002-07-11| accessdate=2007-09-16| publisher=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}</ref>, and serves as a home for 600 young musicians in different fields. The conservatory is a vivacious and vigorous center of the music and the culture life in the city, and it is involved in the community life and educates a second generation of musicians made in Ashdod.
+
The passenger railroad connection to Ashdod opened in 1992 following the renovation of the historical railway to [[Egypt]]. Ashdod railway station is on [[Israel Railways]]' Binyamina/Netanya - Tel Aviv - Ashkelon line and it is located near Ad Halom Junction.  
 +
There is also heavy freight traffic in the area. Port of Ashdod has its own railway branch line as well as a special terminal for [[potash]] brought from the [[Sodom]] area and exported abroad.
  
The MonArt center is a newly opened [[performing arts center]] which has different art schools, studios and events. Theater and concerts are hosted in several cultural venues; the most important are performed at Yad LaBanim concert hall. The new city concert hall is in its final building stages, and will enlarge capacity to 1600.
+
The Port of Ashdod has a passenger pier. The traffic at this gateway is constantly growing, especially due to [[cruise ship]] activities. The other sea gateway is the newly opened Blue Marina.
<gallery>
+
 
Image:Ashdod_CultureCenter.jpg|Building of new culture center. February 2006.
+
=== Demographics ===
Image:Ashdod Yad-le-Banim.JPG|Yad LaBanim concert hall
+
According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, Ashdod had a population of about 204,400 at the end of 2006, making it the fifth largest city in Israel. The annual population growth rate is 2.6 percent and the ratio of women to men is 1,046 to 1,000. The population of Ashdod is significantly younger than the Israeli average because of the large number of young couples living in the city.
Image:Ashdod Monart3.JPG|MonArt performing arts center
+
 
</gallery>
+
Over 95 percent of the city's population is Jewish, over 30 percent of whom are religiously observant. Despite this, the city is generally secular, although most of the non-Jewish population is a result of mixed marriages. The large [[Haredi]] community of the city live mainly in Neighborhood 7 (Rova Za'in) which is specially dedicated for their needs with [[Talmud Torah]], [[Cheder]], [[Mikvah]] and other religious institutions. Ashdod is home to a wide range of synagogues, catering to the religious diversity of its population. The city is home to the world's largest [[Karaite]] community, about five thousand strong. <ref> ''Last Days Reporter''. [http://www.lastdaysreporter.com/beginning-judaism-relig.html 7 Stages of the beginning of Judaism] Retrieved December 4, 2007. </ref>
 +
 
 +
There is also a Scandinavian Seamen [[Protestant]] [[church]], established by Norwegian [[Righteous Among the Nations]] pastor [[Per Faye-Hansen]].
  
=== Museums and exhibitions ===
+
=== Culture ===
*The [[Korin Maman Museum]] has a permanent archeology exhibition called "Philistian World" as well as various changing art exhibitions.[http://ilmuseums.com/museum_eng.asp?id=134]
+
The ACADMA conservatory, a professional educational institute for music and performance studies is based in Ashdod. Operated under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, the institute was established in 1966 and serves as a home for 600 young musicians in different fields. The conservatory is a vivacious and vigorous center of the music and the culture life in the city, and it is involved in the community life and educates a second generation of musicians made in Ashdod.
*[[Ashdod Art Museum]] located in the MonArt center, has 13 exhibition halls.[http://ilmuseums.com/museum_eng.asp?id=217]
 
  
=== Sports ===
+
Ashdod is home to the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra which performs music originating in [[Andalusia]], a blend of Western and Arabic music. The orchestra was awarded the [[Israel Prize]] in 2006. <ref>Or Barnea. April 4, 2006. [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3236001,00.html Israel Prize awarded to Dvora Omer] ''Ynet''. Retrieved December 4, 2007. </ref>
Ashdod's [[Football (soccer)|football]] team, [[FC Ashdod]] represents the city in [[Ligat ha'Al]], Israel's Premier League. The club is known for its successful soccer school. The city's top basketball team is [[Maccabi Ashdod B.C.|Maccabi Ashdod]]. The men squad plays in [[Liga Leumit (Basketball)|Liga Leumit]], Israel's second tier league, and the women squad plays in top division.
 
  
Ashdod plays host to many national and international sporting tournaments, including the annual Ashdod International [[Chess]] Festival.<ref>[http://www.ashdodchess.com/ Ashdod International Chess festival]</ref> The city has a [[cricket]] team<ref>[http://www.ashdodnews.co.il/sport_p2.asp?page_id=109&page_id_2=8596 Cricket revolution in Ashdod]{{he_icon}}</ref>, a rarity in Israel. It is run and organized by citizens of [[Jews in India|Indian descent]]. Like many coastal settlements in Israel, Ashdod's beaches is a venue for water sport, like as [[windsurfing]], [[yachting]], and [[SCUBA diving]] operating in the [[Ashdod Marina|Marina]] area.
+
The [http://ilmuseums.com/museum_eng.asp?id=217 Ashdod Museum of Art - Monart Centre] is a newly opened [[performing arts center]] located in the center of the city. The museum has 12 galleries and two halls, and a pyramidal space where cultural events are held.  
  
Ashdod has produced a number of famous sportsmen:
+
=== Sports ===
* [[Haim Revivo]] - international soccer player
+
Ashdod's Football ([[soccer]]) team, [[FC Ashdod]] represents the city in [[Ligat ha'Al]], Israel's Premier League. The club is known for its successful soccer school. The city's top [[basketball]] team is Maccabi Ashdod. The men squad plays in Liga Leumit, Israel's second tier league, and the women squad plays in top division.
* [[Alon Hazan]] - international soccer player
 
* [[Vered Borochovsky]]<ref>{{cite web| title=Identity. Vered Borochovsky| url=http://www.the-sports.org/swimming-borochovsky-vered-results-identity-s10-c2-b4-o92-w8402.html| publisher=The-sports.org| accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref> - 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2004 Summer Olympics swimmer.
 
* [[Gocha Tzitziashvili]]<ref>{{cite web| title=Two world championships for Israeli athletes
 
| url=http://www.israel21c.org/bin/en.jsp?enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enZone=Culture&enDispWho=Articles%5El526&enPage=BlankPage| publisher=Israel21c| accessdate=2007-09-18}}</ref> - 2003 Greco-Roman Wrestling  World champion & 2004 Summer Olympics wrestler
 
  
 +
Ashdod plays host to many national and international sporting tournaments, including the annual Ashdod International Chess Festival. The city has a [[cricket]] team, a rarity in Israel. It is run and organized by citizens of [[India]]n descent. Like many coastal settlements in Israel, Ashdod's beaches is a venue for water sport, such as [[windsurfing]], [[yachting]], and [[scuba diving]] operating in the Marina area.
  
 +
==Photo gallery==
 +
<center><gallery>
 +
Image:Orot Haim.JPG|Orot Haim Kolel
 +
Image:Kolel1.JPG|Kolel in 7th neighborhood
 +
Image:Karaim sinagog Ashdod.jpg|The Karaite Synagogue
 +
Image:Skan Seaman Church.JPG|The Scandinavian Seamen Church
 +
Image:Ashdod_CultureCenter.jpg|New culture center under construction
 +
Image:Ashdod Yad-le-Banim.JPG|Yad LaBanim concert hall
 +
Image:Ashdod Monart3.JPG|MonArt performing arts center
 +
Image:SeaMall2.JPG|Sea mall main entrance
 +
</gallery></center>
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
  
==Resources==
+
==References==
* {{cite book|title=The Philistines |pages=119|language=Hebrew|author=B.Frenkel|publisher=Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch|location=Israel|year=1990|ULI Sysno.=005093624 }}
+
* Carta Jerusalem. ''Battle Sites in the Land of Israel.''  Carta Israel: 2003. ISBN 9652204943
* {{citation| title=Judah under Assyrian Hegemony: A Reexamination of Imperialism and Religion| url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0021-9231(199323)112%3A3%3C403%3AJUAHAR%3E2.0.CO%3B2-8 |pages=403-414|first=Mordechai |last=Cogan| journal=Journal of Biblical Literature| volume=112| issue=3| year=1993|doi:10.2307/3267741}}
+
* Cogan, Mordechai. ''Judah under Assyrian Hegemony: A Reexamination of Imperialism and Religion.'' ''Journal of Biblical Literature''  112(3) (1993): 403-414  10.2307/3267741
*{{cite book|title=Yamani stronghold in [[Ashdod-Sea]]|pages=125|language=Hebrew|author=J. Kaplan|publisher=Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch |location=Israel|year=1990|ULI Sysno.=005093624 }}
+
* Frenkel, B. ''The Philistines.'' Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624  (in Hebrew)
* {{citation |title=Philistia under Assyrian Rule |pages=86-102|author=H. Tadmor|journal=The Biblical Archaeologist| volume=29| issue=3| year=1966|doi:10.2307/3211004}}
+
*Josephus, Flavius. ''Antiquities of the Jews.'' [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/2848] in English at Project Gutenberg. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
* {{cite book|title=Battle of Ashdod (147B.C.E.)|pages=135|language=Hebrew|author=S.Shapira|publisher=Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch|location=Israel|year=1990|ULI Sysno.=005093624 }}
+
* Kaplan. J. ''Yamani stronghold in Ashdod-Sea.'' Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno.005093624. (in Hebrew)
* {{cite book|title=Ashdod Sea in Byzantic period|pages=143|language=Hebrew|author=S.Piphano|publisher=Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch|location=Israel|year=1990|ULI Sysno.=005093624 }}
+
* Tadmor, H. ''Philistia under Assyrian Rule.'' ''The Biblical Archaeologist'' 29(3)(1966): 86-102  10.2307/3211004
* {{cite journal |author=Harris JC |title=The plague of Ashdod |url=http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/extract/63/3/244| journal=Arch. Gen. Psychiatry |volume=63 |issue=3 |pages=244–5 |year=2006 |pmid=16520427 |doi=10.1001/archpsyc.63.3.244}}
+
* Shapira, S. ''Battle of Ashdod (147 B.C.E.)'' Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624 (in Hebrew)
 +
* Piphano, S. ''Ashdod Sea in Byzantic period'' Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624 (in Hebrew)
 +
* Harris, J.C., "The plague of Ashdod" [http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/extract/63/3/244] ''Arch. Gen. Psychiatry'' 63(3)(2006): 244–245  16520427 10.1001/archpsyc.63.3.244
 +
* Wilckner, Hugo. 1898. ''Geschichte Israels.'' (in German)
 +
* Yaniv, R. ''Ashdod. From repatriants settlement to the City.'' Israel: SPNI Ashdod branch. 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624 (in Hebrew)
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
* [http://www.ashdod.muni.il/htmls/english/Openning_eng.asp Ashdod official website]
+
All links retrieved August 18, 2023.  
* [http://www.ashdodport.org.il Ashdod Port official website]
+
 
 
* [http://www.ashdodnews.co.il Ashdod Local News (in Hebrew)]
 
* [http://www.ashdodnews.co.il Ashdod Local News (in Hebrew)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_anV8dWT9E Ashdod City Promo Video (Hebrew)]
+
{{coor title dm|31|48|N|34|39|E|type:city}}
* [http://www.proav.de/photopages/ashdod/index.html Ashdod Image Gallery]
 
* [http://www.andalusit.org/Default.asp The Israeli Andalusit Orchestra]
 
{{Commons|Category:Ashdod}}
 
  
 
 
{{coor title dm|31|48|N|34|39|E|type:city}}
 
 
{{South District (Israel)}}
 
{{South District (Israel)}}
  

Latest revision as of 04:02, 18 August 2023


Ashdod
Ashdod Monart2.JPG
Ashdod MonArt Arts Centre
Flag of Ashdod.png
Hebrew אַשְׁדּוֹד
Founded in 1956
Government City (from 1968)
District South
Population 207,800[1] (2009)
Mayor Yehiel Lasri

Ashdod (Hebrew: אַשְׁדּוֹד‎; Arabic: إسدود, Isdud), located in the Southern District of Israel on the Mediterranean Sea coast, is a city of over 200,000 people located approximately 43.5 miles (70 km) from Jerusalem and Beer Sheba. Ashdod is an important regional industrial center. The Port of Ashdod is Israel's largest port, and is southern Israel's only outlet to the Mediterranean. The artificial port, enclosed by breakwaters, accounts for 60 percent of the country's imported goods, while much of the country's citrus crop is exported through it.

The first documented settlement in Ashdod dates to the Canaanite culture of seventeenth century B.C.E.,[2] making the city one of the most ancient in the world. During the city's history it was settled by Philistines, Israelites, Byzantines, Crusaders and Arabs. [3]

Ashdod Israel Map.png

Modern Ashdod was established in 1956 on the sand hills approximately 4.5 miles (7 km) north-northwest of the ancient archeological site, on the recent ruins of the Palestinian village of Isdud. It was incorporated as a city in 1968, with a land-area of approximately 23.2 square miles (60 sq km). Being a planned city, expansion followed a main development plan, which facilitated traffic and prevented air pollution in the residential areas, despite population growth. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, Ashdod had a population of 204,400 at the end of 2006, making it the fifth largest city in Israel.

Formation of modern Ashdod

Though the modern city of Ashdod takes its name from the ancient site 4.5 miles away, it is actually built on the recent ruins of a Palestinian village.

Isdud

Palestinian refugees in 1948
Ashdod in 1957
Beach in Ashdod
Neighborhood 15. Mediterranean style buildings

The modern city of Ashdod was built on the ruins of the Palestinian village of Isdud, which had been destroyed in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Just prior to the war, the Egyptian Army took over Isdud, and the city became the northern-most advancement point of the Egyptian forces. Egyptian and Israeli forces clashed in the surrounding area, with the Egyptians being halted at the Ad Halom bridge over the Lachish River. Israeli forces surrounded the city during Operation Yoav, and shelled and bombed it from the air. Fearing encirclement, Egyptian forces retreated on October 28, 1948 with a majority of the city's residents. The town's 4,000 Palestinian inhabitants became refugees in such places as the West Bank, Gaza and neighboring countries as the Jewish state was formed. [4]

The planned city

In 1953, surveyors and designers arrived at the desolate dunes near the mouth of Lachish River to choose a site to build a new power station in the south of the country (eventually "Eshkol A"). Its workers lived in the regional settlements Rehovot and Gedera.

On May 1, 1956, then finance minister Levi Eshkol approved the establishment of the city of Ashdod. The first settlers, 22 families of Jewish immigrants from Morocco arrived in November 1956, and a group of immigrants from Egypt joined them. In July 1957, the government granted a 24,000 dunam (24 km²) concession, approximately 32 km from Tel Aviv, to the Ashdod Company Ltd., for building the modern city of Ashdod.

The building of the Eshkol A power station in Ashdod was completed in 1958 and included three units: two units of 50 MW, and one unit of 45 MW (with the ability of sea water desalination).

The first local council was appointed in October 1959. Dov Gur was appointed on behalf of the Israeli Ministry of Interior as the first local council head. The building of the Port of Ashdod began in April 1961. The port was inaugurated in November 1963, and was utilized for the first time in November 1965 with the coming of the Swedish ship Wiengelgad.

The Magistrates' Court in the city was inaugurated in 1963. In 1964 the Ponevezher Rov, Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman established the Ponevezh development, the first Hareidi neighborhood in Ashdod. In 1978 a joint Belz (Hasidic dynasty)|Belz-Ger (Hasidic dynasty)|Ger estate was established in Neighbourhood 3 (Rova Gimel). The Lev Simcha Talmud Torah in Ashdod is the largest cheder (traditional elementary school teaching the basics of Judaism and the Hebrew language) in Israel. Today, the Tolna Rebbe, Pittsburgher Rebbe, Neshchiz, and Melitzer Rebbes reside in Ashdod.

City development

The development of the city over the years followed a main development plan. The planners divided the city into 17 neighborhoods of ten to fifteen thousand people each. Wide avenues between the neighborhoods make traffic flow relatively freely inside the city. Each neighborhood has easy access to its own commercial center, urban park, and health and education infrastructure. The plan also called for a central business and administrative center, but this had to wait until the mid-1990s when the city population grew rapidly, more than doubling in ten years.

Three industrial zones were placed adjacent to the port in the northern part of the city, taking into account the prevailing southern winds which take air pollution out of the city. The plan had its problems, however, including asymmetric growth of upscale and poorer neighborhoods and the long-time lack of a main business and administrative center.

The city was planned for a maximum of 250,000 inhabitants, and an additional area in the south was reserved for further development. However, the southern border of the city was proclaimed a national nature reserve, Ashdod Nitzanim Sand Dune Park, which makes future city growth problematic, with the last of the 17 neighborhoods of the development plan now under construction.

Growth

Ashdod, like many Israeli cities, has seen most of its growth as the result of absorption of immigrants. The first major group to move to the city were Jews of Moroccan and Egyptian descent. In the 1960s Ashdod accepted a large number of immigrants from Romania, followed by a large number from Georgia and India in the 1970s.

Year Population
1961 4,600 [5]
1972 40,300
1983 65,700 [6]
1990 83,900
1995 125,820
1996 137,100
2000 174,224
2001 187,000
2003 192,200 [7]
2006 204,400
LaMimunia Moroccan culture center.

The explosive growth of the city began in 1991, with the massive arrival of immigrants from the Soviet Union coupled with infrastructure development. More than 60,000 Jews immigrated from the former Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Recent demographic figures suggest that about 32 percent of the city's population are new immigrants, 85 percent of whom are originally from the former Soviet Union. From 1990 to 2001 the city accepted more than 100,000 new inhabitants, a 150 percent growth. [8]

During the 1990s the city also absorbed a large number of Jews of Ethiopian descent, and in more recent years the city has seen an influx of Jewish immigrants from France and Argentina. Ashdod also receives a significant amount of internal migration, especially from the Gush Dan region.

History

Ancient Ashdod

Ashdod in the early nineteenth century.
Ashdod-Sea Fortress, Israel. Gate
Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665), French. The Plague of Ashdod, 1630. Oil on canvas, 148 x 198 cm. Musée du Louvre, Paris, France, Giraudon/Bridgeman Art Library.

Human settlement in Ashdod dates from the Paleolithic Age. Ashdod is mentioned in Ugaritic documents, the language of the ancient Canaanites. At the end of the thirteenth century B.C.E. the Sea Peoples conquered and destroyed the city. By the beginning of the twelfth century B.C.E. the Philistines, generally thought to have been one of the Sea Peoples, ruled the city. During their reign, the city prospered and was a member of union of five Philistine city states.

In 950 B.C.E. Ashdod was destroyed during Pharaoh Siamun's conquest of the region. The city was not rebuilt until at least 815 B.C.E. Around 715 B.C.E., it was conquered by Sargon II, who destroyed the city and exiled its residents. Jewish inhabitants of Ashdod were resettled in Media after their failed uprising attempt against Assyrian dominance. The records indicate that 27,290 Jews were forced to settle in Ecbatana (Hamadan) and Susa in South West Persia. [9]

Asdûdu led the revolt of Philistines, Judeans, Edomites, and Moabites against Assyria after expulsion of king Akhimeti, whom Sargon had installed instead of his brother Azuri. The city of Gath (Gimtu) belonged to the kingdom of Ashdod at that time.

An Assyrian general, Tartan, gained control of Ashdod in 711, ("In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him, and fought against Ashdod, and took it" : Isaiah 20:1) and forced the "usurper" Yamani to flee. Mitinti was king at the time of Sennacherib, and Akhimilki in the reign of Esarhaddon. Psammetichus of Egypt is reported to have besieged the great city Azotus for 29 years (Herodotus, ii. 157); the biblical references to the remnant of Ashdod (Jeremiah 25:20; cf. Zephaniah 2:4) are interpreted as an allusion to this event.

The city absorbed another blow in 605 B.C.E., when Nebuchadnezzar conquered it. In 539 B.C.E. the city was rebuilt by the Persians, but was conquered in the wars of Alexander of Macedon (Nehemiah 13:23).

According to the Book of Nehemiah, the Ashdodites seem to represent the whole nation of the Philistines in the sixth century B.C.E., the "speech of Ashdod" (which the younger generation of the Jews are described as adopting) would simply be the general Philistine dialect. The German archaeologist and historian Hugo Winckler explained the use of that name by the fact that Ashdod was the nearest of the Philistine cities to Jerusalem. [10]

The city prospered as Izotus under the Hellenistic rule, until the Hasmonean Revolt. During the rebellion Judas Maccabeus arrived at its gates, but did not conquer it. He left it for his brother Jonathan, who conquered it in 147 B.C.E. and destroyed the Temple of Dagon. According to Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews 13 (15), volume 4), Alexander Jannæus possessed it. Pompey restored its independence by reconstructing its city walls, though it belonged to the dominion of Herod and Salome (Antiquities of the Jews 17(18), volume 9), and Vespasian had to later take it by force.

Despite its location four miles from the coast, both Ptolemy and Josephus described it as a maritime city. This curious description may refer to Ashdod's control of a separate shore-edge harbor, called Azotus Paraliyus, or Ashdod-Sea (Antiquities of the Jews 13(15) volume 4). The city's prominence continued until the seventh century, when a citadel was built in Azotus Paraliyus as a stronghold against the Byzantine navy. To the west of the wooded height on which the city stands, traces of the ancient harbor—now known as Minet el-Ḳal'a—can still be seen.

The Fatimids established a shore fortress and a village on the Tell of Ashdod. The location of the village on Via Maris enhanced the city's importance during the Ottoman rule. In 1596 C.E., the population of Ashdod numbered about 413. At the beginning of the twentieth century the village was known as Esdūd, with a population of about five thousand, specializing in agriculture and trade. [11]

Biblical mentions

According to the bible, during the 10th century B.C.E. Ashdod became, along with all the kingdom of Philistia a patronage area of the Kingdom of Israel under the control of King David. Judah's claim upon Ashdod is mentioned in the Book of Joshua (Joshua 15:46).

In the Book of Samuel Ashdod is mentioned (I Samuel 6:17) among the principal Philistine cities. After capturing the Ark of the Covenant from the Israelites, the Philistines took it to Ashdod, where it was placed in the temple of Dagon. The next morning Dagon was found prostrate, bowed down, before it; on being restored to his place, he was on the following morning again found prostrate and broken. The people of Ashdod were smitten with boils; a plague of mice was sent over the land (1 Samuel 6:5).

In the Book of Isaiah an Assyrian general named Tartan, sent by Sargon, gained control of Ashdod in 711. (Isaiah 20:1)

The capture of the city by King Uzziah shortly after 815 B.C.E. is mentioned within the text of the Book of Chronicles (2 Chronicles 26:6) and in the Book of Zechariah (Zechariah 9:6), speaking of the false Jews.

Present day statistics

Government

City Hall
The Laser Light Tower in the city center
Waters off Ashdod
The view toward marina
The central bus station

The Ashdod City Council has twenty-five elected members, one of whom is the mayor. The mayor serves a five-year term and appoints six deputies. Within the city council there are various factions representing different population groups, both secular and religious. The headquarters of the Ashdod Municipality and the mayor's office are at city hall. The municipal building is located in the main culture and business area.

Economy

Ashdod is one of the most important industrial centers in Israel. All industrial activities in the city are located in northern areas such as the port area, the northern industrial zone, and around the Lachish River. The Port of Ashdod is the largest port in the country, handling about sixty percent of Israel's port cargo. Various shipping companies offices are also located in the port area which also is home to the Eshkol A power station and coal terminal.

The Northern industrial zone includes various industry including an oil refinery, which is one of only two in the country. The heavy industry zone located south of the Lachish River was once the main industrial center in Ashdod. Recently, however, leisure facilities have moved into the area. There is still some industry here, however, such as a Teva Pharmaceutical Industries plant, construction components producer Ashtrom, and Solbar, a soybean oil producer. Ashdod is also home to Elta, a part of Israel Aircraft Industries where radar equipment, electronic warfare systems, and ELINT are developed.

Transportation

Ashdod is located on the historic Via Maris, one of the most important trade routes in the Middle East during ancient times. Israel's Highway 4 was developed following this route along the southern sea shore it serves as the main connection to the north, towards the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, and to the south, towards Ashkelon. The other main road in the area is Highway 41 which served the city from the start of its modern history. This road runs from west to east towards Gedera and it is the main transport link to the Port of Ashdod and the industrial zones, and connects to Highway 4 with an interchange.

The passenger railroad connection to Ashdod opened in 1992 following the renovation of the historical railway to Egypt. Ashdod railway station is on Israel Railways' Binyamina/Netanya - Tel Aviv - Ashkelon line and it is located near Ad Halom Junction. There is also heavy freight traffic in the area. Port of Ashdod has its own railway branch line as well as a special terminal for potash brought from the Sodom area and exported abroad.

The Port of Ashdod has a passenger pier. The traffic at this gateway is constantly growing, especially due to cruise ship activities. The other sea gateway is the newly opened Blue Marina.

Demographics

According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, Ashdod had a population of about 204,400 at the end of 2006, making it the fifth largest city in Israel. The annual population growth rate is 2.6 percent and the ratio of women to men is 1,046 to 1,000. The population of Ashdod is significantly younger than the Israeli average because of the large number of young couples living in the city.

Over 95 percent of the city's population is Jewish, over 30 percent of whom are religiously observant. Despite this, the city is generally secular, although most of the non-Jewish population is a result of mixed marriages. The large Haredi community of the city live mainly in Neighborhood 7 (Rova Za'in) which is specially dedicated for their needs with Talmud Torah, Cheder, Mikvah and other religious institutions. Ashdod is home to a wide range of synagogues, catering to the religious diversity of its population. The city is home to the world's largest Karaite community, about five thousand strong. [12]

There is also a Scandinavian Seamen Protestant church, established by Norwegian Righteous Among the Nations pastor Per Faye-Hansen.

Culture

The ACADMA conservatory, a professional educational institute for music and performance studies is based in Ashdod. Operated under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, the institute was established in 1966 and serves as a home for 600 young musicians in different fields. The conservatory is a vivacious and vigorous center of the music and the culture life in the city, and it is involved in the community life and educates a second generation of musicians made in Ashdod.

Ashdod is home to the Israeli Andalusian Orchestra which performs music originating in Andalusia, a blend of Western and Arabic music. The orchestra was awarded the Israel Prize in 2006. [13]

The Ashdod Museum of Art - Monart Centre is a newly opened performing arts center located in the center of the city. The museum has 12 galleries and two halls, and a pyramidal space where cultural events are held.

Sports

Ashdod's Football (soccer) team, FC Ashdod represents the city in Ligat ha'Al, Israel's Premier League. The club is known for its successful soccer school. The city's top basketball team is Maccabi Ashdod. The men squad plays in Liga Leumit, Israel's second tier league, and the women squad plays in top division.

Ashdod plays host to many national and international sporting tournaments, including the annual Ashdod International Chess Festival. The city has a cricket team, a rarity in Israel. It is run and organized by citizens of Indian descent. Like many coastal settlements in Israel, Ashdod's beaches is a venue for water sport, such as windsurfing, yachting, and scuba diving operating in the Marina area.

Photo gallery

Notes

  1. Table 3 – Population of Localities Numbering Above 2,000 Residents. Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (December 31, 2009). Retrieved June 28, 2010.
  2. M. Dotan. Ashdod - Seven levels of excavations. (Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624) (in Hebrew)
  3. O. Kolani, B.Raanan, M.Brosh, and S.Pipano. Events calendar in Israel and Ashdod. (Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624) (in Hebrew)
  4. International Middle East Media Center. April 14, 2006. From Isdud to Ashdod: One man's immigrant dream; another's refugee nightmare Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  5. Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Israel in Figures, Population Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  6. City Population. The districts of Israel and all Israeli cities of more than 20,000 inhabitants Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  7. Jewish Virtual Library. Latest Population Figures for Israel Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  8. Ashdod Municipality. Absorption and immigration Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  9. Massoume Price. 2001. A brief history of Iranian Jews Iran Chamber Society. Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  10. Hugo Wilckner. 1898. Geschichte Israels., 224 (in German)
  11. PalestineRemembered.com. Isdud, District of Gaza Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  12. Last Days Reporter. 7 Stages of the beginning of Judaism Retrieved December 4, 2007.
  13. Or Barnea. April 4, 2006. Israel Prize awarded to Dvora Omer Ynet. Retrieved December 4, 2007.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Carta Jerusalem. Battle Sites in the Land of Israel. Carta Israel: 2003. ISBN 9652204943
  • Cogan, Mordechai. Judah under Assyrian Hegemony: A Reexamination of Imperialism and Religion. Journal of Biblical Literature 112(3) (1993): 403-414 10.2307/3267741
  • Frenkel, B. The Philistines. Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624 (in Hebrew)
  • Josephus, Flavius. Antiquities of the Jews. [1] in English at Project Gutenberg. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  • Kaplan. J. Yamani stronghold in Ashdod-Sea. Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno.005093624. (in Hebrew)
  • Tadmor, H. Philistia under Assyrian Rule. The Biblical Archaeologist 29(3)(1966): 86-102 10.2307/3211004
  • Shapira, S. Battle of Ashdod (147 B.C.E.) Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624 (in Hebrew)
  • Piphano, S. Ashdod Sea in Byzantic period Israel: Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Ashdod branch, 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624 (in Hebrew)
  • Harris, J.C., "The plague of Ashdod" [2] Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 63(3)(2006): 244–245 16520427 10.1001/archpsyc.63.3.244
  • Wilckner, Hugo. 1898. Geschichte Israels. (in German)
  • Yaniv, R. Ashdod. From repatriants settlement to the City. Israel: SPNI Ashdod branch. 1990. ULI Sysno. 005093624 (in Hebrew)

External links

All links retrieved August 18, 2023.

Coordinates: 31°48′N 34°39′E


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