Rantis

Infobox Palestinian Authority muni
name=Rantis


imgsize=
caption=
arname=رنتيس
meaning=
founded=
type=mund
typefrom=
altOffSp=Rantes
altUnoSp=
governorate=rb
latd=32|latm=01|lats=40.42|latNS=N
longd=35 |longm=01|longs=09.64|longEW=E
population=2,900
popyear=2006
area=11,046
areakm=11.0
mayor=

Rantis ( _ar. رنتيس) is a Palestinian town in the West Bank, located in the northwestern Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, 33 kilometers northwest of Ramallah. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, it had a population of 2,900 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] Its population consists primarily of six clans: Wahdan, Hallaf, Ballot, Dar Abo Salim, al-Yahee and Hawashe. [http://www.poica.org/editor/case_studies/view.php?recordID=407 The Segregation Wall threatens the practice of territorial expansion in Rantis village] Applied Research Institute - Jerusalem. 2004-06-26.]

Rantis has a land area 11,046 dunams of which 589 dunams are built-up area. The town's main economic sector is agriculture and 20% of its land area is planted with crops. There are two primary schools and two kindergartens. Other facilities includes three clinics, a bus station, a club and two
mosques.

History

Each of the Gospels mention this town as "Arimathea" once, and always in association with Joseph of Arimathea — who placed Christ's body in his own tomb. [Matt 27:57; Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50; John 19:38] Both Eusebius and Jerome identify Arimathea with the birthplace of Samuel. In the 4th century, Jerome reported that the Holy Paula visited this location. Strong traditions from the Middle Ages buttress this claim, celebrating this town as the prophet's original home. A monastery of Joseph of Arimathea was erected there. Conflicting traditions urge Arimathea's location at modern Rantis, 15 miles east of Jaffa. Other suggestions for Arimathea include ar-Ram and al-Bireh-Ramallah, 5 and 8 miles north of Jerusalem, respectively. [ [http://198.62.75.1/www1/ofm/mad/discussion/054discuss.html Armathaim, also Arimathea - (Ranthis)] Studium Biblicum Francum - Jerusalem.]

Israeli raid

On 28-29 January 1953 Israeli military forces estimated at 120 to 150 men, using 2-inch mortars, 3-inch mortars, P.I.A.T. (projectors, infantry, anti-tank) weapons, bangalore torpedoes (long metal tubes containing an explosive charge), machine-guns, grenades and small arms, crossed the demarcation line and attacked the Palestinian Arab villages of Falameh and Rantis. At Falameh the mukhtar was killed, seven other villagers were wounded, and three houses were demolished. The attack lasted four and a half hours. Israel was condemned for this act by the Mixed Armistice Commission. [ [http://domino.un.org/unispal.nsf/9a798adbf322aff38525617b006d88d7/017eefb458011c9d05256722005e5499!OpenDocument S/PV.630 of 27 October 1953] Report of Major General Vagn Bennike Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization]

References