Mevaseret Zion

Mevaseret Zion
Hebrew transcription(s)
- Hebrew	מְבַשֶּׂרֶת צִיּוֹן
- ISO 259	Mbaśśert Çiyon
- Also spelled	Mevasseret Ziyyon (official)
Mevaseret Zion
Coordinates: 31°48′N 35°9′E / 31.8°N 35.15°E / 31.8; 35.15Coordinates: 31°48′N 35°9′E / 31.8°N 35.15°E / 31.8; 35.15
District	Jerusalem
Founded	1951
Government
- Type	Local council
- Head of Municipality	Arye Shamam
Area
- Total	6,390 dunams (6.4 km2 / 2.5 sq mi)
Population (2006)[1]
- Total	22,800
Name meaning	Herald of Zion (from Isaiah 40:9)

Mevaseret Zion (Hebrew: מְבַשֶּׂרֶת צִיּוֹן‎‎) is a suburb of Jerusalem, Israel. Mevaseret Zion is composed of two distinct townships, Maoz Zion and Mevaseret Yerushalayim—under the jurisdiction of one local council. The newer neighborhoods of Mevaseret Zion were not part of either settlement.

Mevaseret Zion is located on a mountain ridge 750 meters above sea level, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. It is ten kilometers from the city, straddling both sides of the Jerusalem–Tel Aviv highway. It has a population of 22,800 residents distributed over 15 neighborhoods. It is the wealthiest municipality per capita in the Jerusalem District. Mevaseret Zion's current Mayor is Arye Shamam.

History

Due to its strategic location, settlement in the area of Mevaseret Zion goes back to antiquity. The Romans built a fortress there, known as Castellum. On the ruins of this fortress, the Crusaders built a castle, Castellum Belveer, which still stands today. An Arab village, Coloniya, grew up around this spot. The muhktar's house was built on the hilltop, on the ruins of the Crusader castle.

During the British Mandate of Palestine, the British referred to this district as "The Castle", dropping the "t" as is customary in English. The Arabs called it al-Qastal, pronouncing the "t." The Jews called it "Hacastel" ("the Castel").

In Israel's War of Independence in 1948, fierce battles that claimed many lives took place here as Arabs and Jews fought for control of the Castel, which overlooked the main Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway. The Castel exchanged hands several times in the course of the fighting. The tides turned when the revered Arab commander, Abd al-Qadir al-Husayni, was killed. Many of the Arabs left their positions to attend al-Husayni's funeral at the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday, April 9. That same day, the Castel fell to the Israeli forces, virtually unopposed.^[2]

Maoz Zion ("Stronghold of Zion") was established in 1951 to house new immigrants from Iraq, Kurdistan, North Africa and Iran who had been living in a ma'abara, or transit camp, at the foot of the Castel. Many were employed at the nearby Solel Boneh stone quarry.

Mevaseret Yerushalayim was established east of Ma'oz Zion in 1956 by Jewish immigrants from North Africa. It was located on a ridge near the armistice line, north of Motza. The residents worked in the fruit orchards in the Arazim Valley.^[3]

Emblem of Mevasseret Zion

In 1963, Maoz Zion and Mevaseret Yerushalayim formed a joint local council, which was called Mevaseret Zion. The source of the name comes from the Book of Isaiah: "על הר גבוה עלי לך מבשרת ציון" ("Ascend a lofty mountain, O herald of joy to Zion") (Isaiah 40:9).

Mevaseret Zion water tower

Institutions and landmarks

The embassies of Paraguay, Costa Rica and Bolivia are located in Mevaseret Zion. Har'el shopping mall is located in the entrance to town. It is known for having the first kosher Mcdonalds in the world.

Education

Mevasseret Zion has 3 secular grade schools, one junior-high school and a high school, "Tichon Har'el". It also holds two religious schools.

Yeshivat Sha'arei Mevasseret Zion is located in Mevasseret Zion.

Archaeology

In April-May 2003, an archeological salvage dig carried out on Nahal Sorek Street in Mevaseret Zion unearthed an ancient burial cave dating from the mid-Second Temple Period.^[4]

Sports

Mevasseret Zion holds both a soccer team and a basketball team, both playing for low leagues.

Hapoel Mevasseret Zion-Abu Ghosh, plays for Israel´s Liga bet, Israel's 4th league. Started as Hapoel Mevasseret Zion and then united with Ironi Abu Ghosh, and became the first Israeli team mixed from an Arab village and a Jewish town. In 2007 Mevasseret-Abu Ghosh was united with Hapoel Katamon, and then separated again. The team is built of Arab and Jewish players, and participated in international friendly tournaments for peace. The team plays in local soccer field called "Hamigrash Hayarok" Which means in Hebrew, the green field. The capacity is about 200 people.

Hapoel Mevasseret Zion basketball plays also for Liga Bet. The team plays in the local basketball court with a capacity of 300 seats.

Notable residents

• Rachel Adato
• Aharon Appelfeld
• Ran Cohen
• David Grossman
• Matan Vilnai
• Yuval Steinitz
• Charlie Biton

Sister cities

• White Plains, New York, (2004)^[5]
• Sankt Augustin, Germany

References

1. ^ http://www.cbs.gov.il/population/new_2007/table3.pdf
2. ^ Institute of Jerusalem Studies
3. ^ Encyclopaedia Judaica, "Mevasseret Zion", p. 1453
4. ^ Israel Antiquities Authority
5. ^ [e-mail] ** 135 Old Mamaroneck Road, White Plains, NY 10606 ** 914-683-YIWP

External links

• Municipality website (Hebrew)
• Harel High School website (Hebrew)