Silwad

Infobox Palestinian Authority muni
name=Silwad


imgsize=
caption=
arname=سلواد
meaning=
founded=
type=munb
typefrom=
altOffSp=
altUnoSp=
governorate=rb
latd=31|latm=59|lats=10.28|latNS=N
longd=35 |longm=15|longs=33.78|longEW=E
population=7,250
popyear=2006
area=18,792
areakm=18.8
mayor=N/A

Silwad ( _ar. سلواد) is a Palestinian town located 12 kilometers north-east of Ramallah, about 5 Km away from the Nablus-Jerusalem highway. Silwad altitude is 860 Meter above sea level. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), the town had a population of 7,250 inhabitants in mid-year 2006. [ [http://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_pcbs/populati/pop07.aspx Projected Mid -Year Population] for Ramallah & Al Bireh Governorate by Locality 2004- 2006 Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS)] The climate is Mediterranean-mountainous. Cold and humid winters with several days of snow almost every year with an average annual precipitation of about 750 millimeters (29.5 inches). The summers are dry and mild. This climate is suitable for growing cherries, nectarines, kiwifruit, grapes and olives.

Historians argued the entomology Silwad. Some debated that the name is derived from the words “Lisan” & “Wad” meaning ‘Tongue of the Valley’ as the town is surrounded by mountains from all sides while the town appears as tongue amidst the mountains. Others mention that Silwad comes from the source “Sal” &“Wad” meaning ‘a Running Valley’, the words were combined together to give the current name of the town. [ [http://www.silwad.com/shatat/index.htm Silwad.com] Silwad history, in Arabic and English]

As in other towns and cities of Palestine, Israel has made a significant effort to establish settlements within Silwad. Today Silwad borders one of the biggest Israeli settlements in the Ramallah district (Ofrah Settlement). Silwadians referred to the village as one of the "liberated villages" which are an anomaly sometimes seen as evidence of an agreed standoff between the protesters and the military. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE2DF103DF932A35754C0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=1 New York Times] ]

Demographics

The main family inhabitants are Hamed, Hammad, and Ayyad. It is believed to be that Hamed and Hammad are brothers. Ayyad is believed to have been accompanying the two brothers. Hamed is proven to be the largest family there. [ [http://www.silwad.com/shatat/index.htm Silwad.com] Silwad … Location and Tribes] There is an Israeli military outpost on "Tall Asur" the highest point near Silwad. The village has an ancient history, its fields are famous for olive and fig trees. People of Silwad depend on farming as well as handicrafts and general works, though life became intolerable under occupation.

The IDF constantly raids the village to make life harder for its inhabitants. They are constantly under pressure to comply with the israeli authority. However, they are known to have great heros who stand up to the oppression of the israeli state. They face checkpoints from all sides, their men are constantly taken to jails, and are always beaten and abused as a population.

According to the estimates of Silwad Association in Jordan the population of the people of Silwad in Diaspora exceeds 25,000 (1996 estimates). Among these, 8,000 reside in Silwad while the remainder are spread throughout the world. [ [http://www.silwad.com/shatat/index.htm Silwad.com] ] There are about 8,000 Palestinians from Silwad in Kuwait, and there are also some in South America, especially Brazil. [ [http://www.chris-kutschera.com/A/Silwad.htm] ]

Notable Silwadian's

Khalid Mish'al a Palestinian exile, the "political leader" of Hamas politic bureau from Syrian branch and leader of Hamas since the assassination of Shaykh Amad Yassin in 2004. [http://www.palestine-studies.org/journals.aspx?id=9980&jid=1&href=fulltext Khalid Mishal] : The Making of a Palestinian Islamic Leader Interviewed by Mouin Rabbani Journal of Palestine Studies, Vol 37, no. 1 (Spring 2008), p. 59]

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.silwad.com/ Silwad.com]