Hebron City Profile Prepared by The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem ARIJ Funded by Spanish Cooperation Azahar program 2009 0 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Acknowledgments ARIJ hereby expresses its deep gratitude to the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID) for their funding of this project through the Azahar Program. ARIJ is grateful to the Palestinian officials in the ministries, municipalities, joint services councils, village committees and councils, and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) for their assistance and cooperation with the project team members during the data collection process. ARIJ also thanks all the staff who worked throughout the past couple of years towards the accomplishment of this work. 0 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Background This booklet is part of a series of booklets, which contain compiled information about each city, town, and village in Hebron Governorate. These booklets come as a result of a comprehensive study of all localities in Hebron Governorate, which aims at depicting the overall living conditions in the governorate and presenting developmental plans to assist in developing the livelihood of the population in the area. It was accomplished through the 'Village Profiles and Azahar Needs Assessment'; a project funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID) and the Azahar Program. The 'Village Profiles and Azahar Needs Assessment' was designed to study, investigate, analyze and document the socio-economic conditions and the needed programs and activities to mitigate the impact of the current unsecure political, economic and social conditions in Hebron Governorate with particular focus on the Azahar program objectives and activities concerning water, environment, and agriculture. The project's objectives are to survey, analyze and document the available natural, human, socioeconomic and environmental resources, and the existing limitations and needs assessment for the development of the rural and marginalized areas in Hebron Governorate. In addition, the project aims at preparing strategic developmental programs and activities to mitigate the impact of the current political, social, and economic instability with the focus on the agricultural sector. All locality profiles in Arabic and English are available online at http://proxy.arij.org/vprofile/ 1 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Table of Contents Location and Physical Characteristics _____________________________________________3 History_______________________________________________________________________4 Religious and Archeological Sites _________________________________________________5 Demography and Population _____________________________________________________7 Education ____________________________________________________________________7 Health Status ________________________________________________________________11 Economic Activities ___________________________________________________________11 Agricultural Sector____________________________________________________________13 Institutions and Services _______________________________________________________15 Infrastructure and Natural Resources ____________________________________________16 Impact of Israeli Occupation ____________________________________________________17 Development Plans and Projects _________________________________________________17 Locality Development Priorities and Needs ________________________________________18 References___________________________________________________________________19 2 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Hebron City Profile Location and Physical Characteristics Hebron city is a city in the Hebron Governorate, located in the southern part of the West Bank. It is bordered by Bani Na'im to the east, Halhoul to the north, Taffuh to the west, and Yatta to the south (See map 1). Map 1: Hebron city location and borders Hebron city is located on a mountainous area at an elevation of 888 m above the sea level, with a mean rainfall 370 mm, an average annual temperature of 16 °C, and average annual humidity at 61% (ARIJ GIS). 3 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Hebron city has been governed by a municipal council since 1971, which today comprises of 8 elected members with 941 paid employees. In addition to drafting and implementing development programs, the council provides a number of services to the residents of Hebron, including: Infrastructure Services such as water and solid waste disposal. Health Services. Social development services. Road construction and repair, and construction of public buildings, particularly schools. Hebron municipality has ten departments so as to facilitate services for the residents, these departments include: 1. Administration 6. Engineering 2. Public relations 7. Study and Planning 3. Financial 8. Water 4. Traffic 9. Computer Services 5. Collection and computer services 10. Health and Environment History The city of Hebron (al-Khalil in Arabic) is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, and its history dates back more than 4,000 years. According to Islamic tradition, God chose Abraham as his friend. Hebron houses the tomb of Abraham: Khalil al-Rahman. The name "Hebron" traces back to the same root as Haver, or "friend"[4in both Hebrew and ,means "Ibrahim the friend", signifying that ("إﺑﺮاهﻴﻢ اﻟﺨﻠﻴﻞ") "Arabic. In Arabic, "Ibrahim al-Khalil according to Islamic teaching, Allah (God) chose Ibrahim (i.e. Abraham) as his friend. Hebron is the fourth holiest city for Muslims after Mecca, Medina, and al-Quds. Al-Haram al- Ibrahimi, the Sanctuary of Abraham or the Tomb of the Patriarchs, in the old city of Hebron is one of the ancient historical, religious, and heritage sites in Palestine. Throughout the centuries, the city of Hebron was a constant target for Persian and Roman invaders until the Islamic conquest during which the city prospered and Muslim emirs and caliphs showed unwavering concern for the city. The ancient architecture of the old city, which dates back to the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, has witnessed the development and sophistication of the city of Hebron. 4 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Photo of Hebron city Religious and Archeological Sites There are 170 mosques in Hebron city. There are also a number of archeological and historical sites in the city of which: 1- the most famous historic site in Hebron sits on the Cave of the Patriarchs. The site is holy to all three Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, due to their traditional connections to Abraham. He purchased the cave and the field surrounding it to bury his wife Sarah, and subsequently Abraham, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah were also buried in the cave (the remaining Matriarch, Rachel, is buried outside Bethlehem). 2- Al Sultan pool: located in the center of the city to the south-west of the Ibrahimi Mosque, built by Sultan Saif Al-Din Qlaon. Because of the many incidents of drowning, the proliferation of mosquitoes, and the stench; the Islamic Waqf agreed with the Municipality of Hebron and the Department of Health, to drain the water and close the channels leading to it. 3- The Hebron Museum: It is located in Haret Hebron near Khan Dari. It is a real estate trust and the archaeological mission in the city, it was originally known as the Turkish bath Ibrahim al- Khalil, but on the decision of the late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, it was renovated and turned into a museum. 4- Al Balluta: Located near the Church of the Russian Compound is today almost derelict, it has branches all around it, and heavy wire fence surrounding it. No one is allowed to enter the site even for maintenance, 5 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate 5- Al Maskubiya Church: Located in the garden, it was built by the Greek Orthodox in the western city at the beginning of last century. It is the only site for Christians in the city. It has an area of 600 square meters and is built of stone. Map 2: Main Locations in Hebron City 6 Palestinian Localities Study Hebron Governorate Demography and Population According to the 2007 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) Census, the total population of Hebron city in 2007 was approximately 163,146 residents, of whom 84,223 were males and 78,923 were females. Furthermore, there were 28,563 households living in 34,106 housing units. The population of Hebron city village constitutes approximately 29.6% of the total population of Hebron Governorate, earning it a rural area designation. Age groups and gender The 2007 Census showed the distribution of the Hebron city population by age group and sex ,the largest group between 15-64 year of age constituting 51.8% of the total population, followed by the 0-14 age group which constituted 44%, and the age group 65 and above, which constituted 2.4% of the total population. The sex ratio in the village was 107 males for every 100 females, with males making up 51.6% of the population and females 48.4%. Families The population of Hebron is predominantly from the following families: Al Tamimi , Al Kurady , Al Natshea , Abu Sneineh , Al Qawasmi , Al Jabary , Al Alaoyey and Al Rujby family . Education According to (PCBS), Population, Housing and Establishment Census 2007 results, about 4,114 persons were illiterate (3.8% of the total population) in Hebron city, of whom 58.6% were female. Of the literate population, 15,058 persons (14.1%) received