Ashdod (אַשְׁדּוֹד; إسدود, Isdud) is a city in the Southern District of Israel located towards the south of the Israeli Coastal Plain about 70km from both Jerusalem and Beer Sheba. Its jurisdiction is 60,000 dunams (60 km²). It was declared a city in 1968 and today is an important industrial center in the country, particularly because the city's port, the Port of Ashdod is Israel's largest port accounting for 60% of imported goods. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Ashdod had a population of about 204.400 at the end of 2006 making it the fifth largest city in Israel.
History
Ancient Ashdod
Human settlement in the area now known as Ashdod was first recorded and believed to have happened during the Paleolithic Age. During all three Stone Ages there was much human activity, and the settlement is even mentioned in Ugaritic documents. At the end of the 13th century BCE the Sea Peoples conquered the city and destroyed it. The city was taken over by the Philistines (who are generally thought to have been one of the Sea Peoples) at the beginning of the 12th century BCE. During the years they reigned over Ashdod, the city prospered and was said to have become their capital.
In 950 BCE Ashdod was destroyed in the conquering journey of Pharaoh Siamun; the city was rehabilitated after 815BCE. A hundred years later, it was conquered by Sargon II who destroyed the city and exiled its residents. Asdûdu led the revolt of Philistines, Judeans, Edomites, and Moabites against Assyria after expelling the king Akhimeti, whom Sargon had installed instead of his brother Azuri. Gath (Gimtu) belonged to the kingdom of Ashdod at that time.
An Assyrian general titled Tartan, subjected Ashdod in 711 (cf. Isaiah 20:1), and the usurper, Yawani, fled. Mitinti was king in the time of Sennacherib; 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 BCE, when Nebuchadnezzar conquered it. In 539 BCE the city had been rehabilitated by the Persians, but was conquered in the wars of Alexander of Macedon, when its name was changed into Izotus.
In the Book of Nehemiah (at 4:1, 13:23, etc.), the Ashdodites seem still to represent the whole nation of the Philistines, so that 13:24, the speech of Ashdod (which the younger generation of the Jews are described as adopting), would simply be the general Philistine dialect. Winckler ("Gesch. Israels", p. 224) explains the use of that name by the fact that Ashdod was the nearest of the Philistine cities to Jerusalem; yet the simplest explanation seems to remain that Ashdod remained the leader among previously Philistine cities, even into Greek times.
The city prospered as Izotus under the Hellenist rule, until the Hasmonean Revolt. During the rebellion Judas Maccabeus arrived at its gates, but didn't conquer it. He had left it behind for his brother Jonathan, who conquered it in 147 BCE 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 in that he reconstructed its walls, though it belonged to the dominion of Herod and Salome (Antiquities... 17:18, volume 9), and Vespasian had to take it by force.
The statement of Ptolemy and Josephus that it was a maritime city, despite its standing 4 miles from the shore, is explained by the city having controlled a separate shore-edge harbour, which was called Azotus Paraliyus (Antiquities... 13:15, volume 4). This place has been compared with the Asdudimmu mentioned by Sargon, but the comparison is hardly justified.
The importance of the city continued until the seventh century, when in Ashdod-Sea (Azotus Paraliyus) was built citadel as stronghold against Byzantine navy. To the west of the wooded height on which the city stands, traces of the ancient harbourr—now known as Minet el-Ḳal'a—can still be seen.
The Fatimids established shore fortresse and village in Tel-Ashdod.
The location of the village on Via Maris resulted in an increase in its importance during the Ottoman age, when there was in the place a big village called Isdud, and in it a khan. In 1596 CE the population of Ashdod numbered 413 persons. In the beginning of the 20th century the city was known as Esdūd and was an insignificant village, its population numbering 5,000 persons, and its main industries being agriculture and trade. Ultimately the city became a municipal center for the villages around, and was renamed to Ashdod, and regained its national importance under Jewish dominion after the Balfour Declaration.
Biblical mentions
According to the bible, during the 10th century BCE it 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 it is mentioned first (I Samuel 6:17) among the principal Philistine cities; and the Ark of the Lord is brought first to that place as a trophy (1 Samuel 5 and following passages). The capture of the city by King Uzziah shortly after 815 BCE is mentioned within the text of the Book of Chronicles (2 Chronicles 26:6) also mentioned in the Book of Zechariah (Zechariah 9:6) speaking of the false Jews.
Modern times
Immediately before the beginning of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War Egyptian forces took over Isdud, and the city became the northern-most advancement point of the Egyptian forces. Battles were conducted in the area during the war. The city was surrounded during Operation Yoav, and the Egyptian Forces were shelled and bombed from the air. Fearing encirclement, they retreated on October 28, 1948 and with them the decisive majority if not all of the city's residents.
In 1953, a group of surveyors and designers was sent to the desolate dunes area near the mouth of Lachish River in order to choose a place to build a new power station in the south of the country (eventually "Eshkol A"). Its workers dwelled in the region settlements - Rehovot and Gedera.
On May 1, 1956 then finance minister, Levi Eshkol, in the name of the government, gave confirmation for the establishing of Ashdod city. "Ashdod Company Ltd." was established by the end of that year, a daughter-company of City-Builders Company Ltd. - by Oved Ben-Ami and Philipp Klotznik (USA).
The first settlers arrived in November 1956, 22 families of immigrants from Morocco, and a bit later, a group of immigrants from Egypt joined them. In July 1957, a concession was granted to Ashdod Company Ltd. on an area of 40,000 dunam (40 km²), a distance of 32 km (as the crow flies) from Tel Aviv, for the purpose of establishing Ashdod city.
The building of the 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).
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 Magistrate's 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 m²) -- a hospital which has never been 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 Swedish ship "Wiengelgad".
In 1964 the Ponevezher Rov, Rabbi Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman established the Ponevezh development, the first chareidi neighbourhood in Ashdod. In 1978 a joint Belz-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, Pittsburgher Rebbe, Neshchiz, and Melitzer Rebbes reside in Ashdod.
The explosive growth of the city began in 1991, with the massive arrival of immigrants from the Soviet Union and infrastructure development.
Planned City
The city was established outside of the Ashdod historic sites in virgin sands. The development over the years followed the main lineation plan. According to the plan the city was divided into 17 neighborhoods of 10-15 thousand people each, while wide avenues between them makes traffic inside the city free of jams. Each neighborhood has easy access to its own trade center, park, health & education infrastructure. A business and administrative center was also planned, but was not developed until the mid 1990s when the city population grew rapidly and doubled in eight years.
Three industrial zones were placed in the northern part, taking into account the prevailing southern winds which take air pollution out of the city.
The main problems in the practical use of the lineation plan in city development were asymmetric growth of upscale and poorer neighborhoods and lack of a main business and administartive center for a long time causing different neighborhood trade centers to taking lead in different years.
The city was planned for a maximum of 250,000 inhabitants when an additional area in the south was reserved. However the southern border of the city - Ashdod Nitzanim Sand Dune Park— was proclaimed a national nature reserve, which makes future city growth problematic, since the last of the 17 neighborhoods is now under construction.
Economy
Ashdod is one of the most important Israeli industrial centers. All industry activities in the city are located in the northern part and this area can be divided into four main areas:
Transportation
Roads
Ashdod is located on the historic Via Maris. Highway 4 was developed following this route along the southern sea shore of Israel; it serves as the main connection to the north, towards Gush Dan, and to the south, towards Ashqelon.
Ad Halom junction was planned as the main entrance to the city from the east according to the lineation plan. 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 congestion. An interchange is under construction, planned to open in 2009. 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.
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.
Railroad
The passenger railroad connection to Ashdod opened in 1992 after 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. The station was upgraded in 2005 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.
There is also busy freight traffic in the area. port of Ashdod has its own railway line and also a special terminal for potash brought from Sodom area and exported abroad.
Buses
The new central bus station opened in 1996. It serves as the terminus both for internal and external lines. The building also includes a small but popular 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 constatntly growing, especially due to cruise ships activities. The other sea gateway is the newly opened Blue Marina.
Demographics
According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Ashdod had a population of about 204.400 at the end of 2006 (5th largest in Israel). The annual population growth rate is 2.6%. The ratio of women to men is 1,046 to 1,000.
The city is ranked in medium-low socio-economocial grading (4 of 10). 56.1% of 12th grade students were eligible for matriculatulation certificates in 2000. The average salary in 2000 was NIS 4,821 (national average: NIS 6,835).
Government
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. The current mayor of Jerusalem, Zvi Zilker was elected last time in 2003 and he is ruling continuously since 1989. Within the city council, there are various fractions 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.
Mayors
Culture
Music and theatre
Ashdod is home to the Israeli Andalusit Orchestra which performs music that originated in Andalusia, a blend of Western and Arabic music. The orchestra has been awarded the Israel Prize in 2006.
The ACADMA conservatory, a professional educational institute for music and playing 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.
The MonArt center is newly opened performing arts center has different art schools, studios and events.
The theatre and concert shows take place in few cultural centers, when the most important are performed in Yad-le-Banim concert hall. The new city concert hall is in last building stages. It will enlarge spectators capacity to 1600.
Museums and exhibitions
Korin Maman museum which has a permanent archeology exhibition named "Philistian World" and various changed arts exhibitions.
Ashdod art museum is placed in MonArt center and has 13 open excibition spaces.
Sports
Ashdod's football team, FC Ashdod represents the city in Ligat ha'Al, Israel's Premier League. The club is known for successful soccer school.
Bnei Ashdod Basketball Club currently playing in the Liga Leumit which is Israel's second tier of basketball teams.
There are a lot of sport events and sections in Ashdod including annual Chess tournament and cricket team (exotic for Israel) organized by inhabitants of Indian descent. In the beaches there are always a lot of windsurfing activities. The yacht and diving clubs are operating in Marina area.
The most famous Ashdod sportsmen are:
Image:Ashdod_CultureCenter.jpg|Building of new culture center. February 2006.
Image:Ashdod Yad-le-Banim.JPG|Yad-le-Banim concert hall
Image:Ashdod Monart3.JPG|MonArt performing arts center
Sister cities
External links
