Ring Neighborhoods, Jerusalem
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The Ring neighborhoods of Jerusalem (Hebrew: שכונות הטבעת) are five Israeli settlements and suburban neighborhoods built by Israel on territory occupied in 1967 during the Six Day War and annexed to the city.[1] Today, as many as 165,000 people reside in these establishments.
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[edit] History
In 1967, following the Six Day War, the makeup of Jerusalem was altered. Its territory was increased to 108km², three times the size of pre-war West Jerusalem. When the war ended, plans were drawn up to establish new residential neighborhoods on undeveloped land around Jerusalem as a housing solution for young couples, new immigrants, and middle class families seeking a better quality of life. Since the neighborhoods were built over the Green Line they are often labeled Israeli settlements.
[edit] Demographics
In the first few years, the neighborhoods were populated with maximum speed. Even after the new neighborhoods were settled, the population rise increased, largely since many of these residents were young couples who had children in the neighborhoods. Over the years, the residents aged, and their mature offspring went to live outside the neighborhoods. As a result, the population rise decreased.
In 1986, the five neighborhoods amounted to 23 percent of the total Jewish inhabitants of Jerusalem. In 1996, this figure has risen to 30 percent and has remained more or less the same also in 2004.[2]
[edit] Neighborhoods
- Neve Yaakov is the northernmost neighborhood in Jerusalem. Established in 1970, it has about 20,000 residents.
- Gilo at the south-west of the city, is the highest neighborhood. Established in 1971, it has about 40,000 residents.
- East Talpiot (west of Talpiot) is located at the south-east, situated near the Commissioner's Palace. Established in 1973, it has about 15,000 residents.
- Ramot is located at north-west, north of Highway 1. Established in 1974, it has about 40,000 residents.
- Pisgat Ze'ev in the north is the largest neighborhood in Jerusalem. Established in 1982, it has about 50,000 residents.
Other Jewish neighborhoods in Jerusalem that were built over the Green Line, such as French Hill and Har Homa, are not considered to be part of the Ring neighborhoods.
[edit] References
- ^ A Palestinian Academic Society for the Study of International Affairs study notes (citing from another analysis) that "'since 1967, two rings of new residential neighborhoods built around the city center have created new ramparts [emphasis original] designed primarily as a political barrier against any possible repatriation of the city.'" And concludes that: "the strategic placement of these four settlements formed the key links of the inner ring of settlements between East Jerusalem and the West Bank."[1]
- ^ Eran Avni. "Neighborhoods of the Ring of Jerusalem," Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies, July 2006. (Hebrew)
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