Idhna City Profile Prepared by The Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem Funded by Spanish Cooperation Azahar program March 2007 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Table of Content Location and Physical Characteristics _________________________2 History___________________________________________________3 Demography and Population _________________________________4 Economy _________________________________________________5 Education ________________________________________________7 Health Status _____________________________________________9 Religious and Archaeological Sites ____________________________9 Institutions and Services ___________________________________10 Infrastructure and Natural Resources_________________________11 Agricultural Sector ________________________________________12 Impact of the Israeli Occupation ____________________________15 Development Plans and Projects _____________________________16 Locality Development Priorities and Needs_____________________16 1 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Idhna City Profile Location and Physical Characteristics Idhna is a Palestinian city in Hebron Governorate located 15 km southwest of Hebron City in the southern part of the West Bank. Idhna is bordered by Tarqumiya city to the north, Taffuh village and Hebron city to the east, Al Kum villages to the south and the 1949 Armistice Line (the Green Line) to the west (See map 1). Map 1: Idhna location and borders According to Ministry of Local Authority classification, the municipal area of Idhna includes the villages of Idhna, Suba, and Bir Musallam. Idhna is considered an urban area as it meets the relevant criteria. Idhna is located on low altitude hills ranging from 400m to 480m above sea level with mean annual rainfall in Idhna between 410 and 440, average annual temperature of 19o C, and the average annual humidity is about 60 % (ARIJ GIS). 2 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate A Municipal Council comprised of four members appointed by the Palestinian Authority governed Idhna from 1997-2005. In 2005, a new council was elected, consisting of 13 members with 29 paid employees. In addition to drafting and implementing development programs, the council provides a number of services to the residents of Idhna, including: Infrastructure services such as water, electricity and solid waste disposal; Health services; Social development services; and Road construction and restoration, and the construction of public buildings, particularly schools. Idhna municipality is divided into departments, which are: General administration Electricity Public relations Accounting and computer services Engineering Health services Water History The city has a particularly long history. The name of the city can be traced back to the Canaanite name “Ishna”, roughly translated as “firm” or “strong.” When the city was established as a Roman town, the name became Idhna, as it is known today. In the areas surrounding the city, there are a number of ruins and archaeological sites where artifacts, including coins, tombs, and caves from the Canaanite, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic civilizations have been found. Present day inhabitants of the city trace their lineage from Arab tribes of the Arabian Peninsula. Photo of Idhna city 3 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Demography and Population According to the 1997 Census conducted by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), the total population of Idhna was 13,747, of whom 13,527 living in Idhna city, 137 in Bir Musallam and 83 in Suba localities. Of these, 7,062 were males and 6,685 were females. There are 1,974 households resident in 1,943 housing units, and the average household size was seven at the time of the census. Table 1: Idhna population by locality and sex Village Male Female Total Idhna 6,944 6,583 13,527 Bir Musallam 75 62 137 Suba 43 40 83 Total 7,062 6,685 13,747 Source: PCBS, May 1999. Population, Housing and Establishment Census-1997, Final Results Age Groups and Gender The 1997 Census results showed the distribution of the population in terms of age group and sex, as laid out in Table 2. Data shows that young people are the dominant age group, with 50.4% of 14 years and younger, compared to only 46.5% of the population falling into the 15-64 age group, and 3.1% in the 65+ age group. Table 2: Population of Idhna by sex and age group Age Group Percent Total Sex 0-14 15-64 65+ (%) Male 3,515 3,323 224 7,062 51.4 Female 3,417 3,066 202 6,685 48.6 Total 6,932 6,389 426 13,747 100 Source: PCBS, May 1999. Population, Housing and Establishment Census-1997, Final Results This data includes population figures from the villages of Idhna, Suba, and Bir Musallam The table above reveals that that the sex ratio in the city is 105.6 males for every 100 females, with males in Idhna constituting 51.4% of the population. Population Growth According to the PCBS, the projected mid-year population estimates for Idhna (including the localities of Idhna, Suba, and Bir Musallam) is 18,383 persons in 2005 and 19,016 persons in 2006. These projections show an estimated increase by 35.5% between 1997 and mid 2005 and another increase of 3.4% by mid 2006. (See table 3): Table 3: Projected population for Idhna city, 2004-2006 Census Mid-year population Village 1997 2004 2005 2006 4 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Idhna 13,527 17,579 18,199 18,826 Bir Musallam 137 178 184 190 Suba 83 108 112 115 Total 13,747 17,865 18,495 19,131 http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/popu_list.aspx According to the city municipality, the total population of Idhna city and its associated villages reached 22,000 inhabitants as of 2006. Figure 1: Population growth in Idhna city 25,000 19,131 20,000 17,865 18,495 13,747 15,000 10,000 Population 5,000 0 1997 2004 2005 2006 Families family are the two main families that (اﻟﺴﻠﻴﻤﻴﺔ) family and the Al Salimiya (اﻟﻄﻤﺰي) The Atumaizeh reside in the city, constituting approximately 30% and 25% of the total city population, respectively. Fifteen small families constitute 43% of the total population with an additional nine refugee families representing 2% of the total population. Migration The data collected from Idhna Municipality indicates that there were more than 25 emigrants from the city as a result of the political and economic situation since the beginning of the second Intifada in 2000. Economy Data collected from Idhna municipality indicates that employees in governmental or private sector are the main economic base comprising 35% of the total working age population. The trade sector and the Israeli labor market also take in a significant proportion of Idhna workers. Other commercial establishments in the city include 400 grocers, 30 clothing shops, 3 butchers, 6 blacksmiths, 6 carpenters, 20 private services shops and 20 junk stores (scrap shops). In addition, there are many olive pressing, stone cutting and soap factories. 5 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Based on a survey conducted in December 2006 by ARIJ in Hebron localities, the unemployment rate in the city stood at 35%. The survey data also indicated that the social groups most affected in the city by the Israeli restrictions during the Second Intifada were: 1. Workers that had previously worked in the Israeli labor market; 2. Housewives and children; 3. Families with six individuals and more; 4. Small-holder farmers; and 5. Small-holder traders. Labor Force According to the results of the PCBS's Population, Housing and Establishment Census-1997, 63.5% of the population of Idhna were of working age (10 years and above). Of the 8,736 people above the minimum working age, 2,809 (32.2%) were economically active (in the labor force), of whom 87.7% were employed, and the remaining 12.3% were either unemployed or have never worked. The total number of economically non-active persons (i.e. those out of the labor force) stood at 5,913, 46.9% of whom were students, 45.2% were housewives, and 7.7% were unable or unwilling to work. (See table 4): Table 4: Idhna population (10 years and above) by sex and employment status-1997 Sex Economically Active Not Economically Active Total Currently Unemployed Not working & House- Unable Employed Unemployed (Never Total Students Not looking Other Total wives to work Worked) For Work M 2,382 194 132 2,708 1,565 0 182 77 10 1,840 4,548 F 85 5 11 101 1,208 2,672 181 18 0 4,087 4,188 T 2,467 199 143 2,809 2,773 2,672 363 95 10 5,927 8,736 Source: PCBS, May 1999. Population, Housing and Establishment Census-1997, Final Results This data includes population figures from the villages of Idhna, Suba, and Bir Musallam Since the outbreak of second Intifada in 2000, many Palestinian workers have been unable to reach their places of work in Israel. Consequently, many workers from Idhna lost their largest source of income. Furthermore, the trading process was negatively affected due to successive closures within Hebron Governorate, and merchants were unable market their products outside the governorate. According to city officials’ estimates, the economic base of the town consists of the following sectors: • Government or Private Employees (35%) • Israeli Labor Market (20%) • Trade Sector (20%) • Agriculture Sector (10%) • Services Sector (10%) • Industrial Sector (5%) 6 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Figure 2: Percentage of economic activity in Idhna city Agriculture 10% Industry Employee 5% 35% Trade & Commercial 20% Israe li Labor Services Market 10% 20% Education According to the results of the PCBS's Population, Housing and Establishment Census-1997, about 1,502 persons were illiterate (17.2% of the total population) of whom 68% were female. Of the literate population, 1,605 persons (18.4%) received no schooling, 4,596 persons (52.6%) had elementary and preparatory education, 578 persons (6.6%) had secondary education, and 397 persons (4.5%) had an associate diploma or a bachelor’s degree.