Jaffa Port

Jaffa Port with Tel Aviv in the background

File:Jaffa (before 1899).jpg

Jaffa Port before 1899.

Jaffa Port (Hebrew: נמל יפו‎, Nemal Yafo) is an ancient port on the Mediterranean Sea, located in the Old City of Jaffa, now Israel.

Jaffa and its port have a history spanning over three millennia. The port itself is mentioned in various ancient works, including the Hebrew Bible, such as the book of Jonah, and the works of Josephus describing Jewish history and the First Jewish Revolt against Rome. For over 7,000 years it has been actively used, predating Muslims, Christians, Jews, and even Egyptians. Still functional as a small fishing port, the port is currently a recreational zone featuring restaurants and cafés. A lighthouse, Jaffa Light, is located above the port.

In 1917, during World War I, British troops under General Allenby defeated the Ottomans and took Jaffa, which became part of the British-administered Palestine Mandate (1922–1948). In 1947 and 1948 there was sharp fighting between Jaffa, which was largely inhabited by Arabs, and the adjoining Jewish city of Tel Aviv. On 13 May 1948 (a day before the proclamation of the State of Israel), the Arab forces in Jaffa were defeated after long fighting with the Zionist underground Haganah and Irgun Zva'i Leumi forces. On 24 April 1950, the Jewish city of Tel Aviv and the Arab city of Jaffa were unified, and the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality was established.

Today, Arabs of various denominations constitute about 25,000 inhabitants out of a total of 35,000 people. Jaffa has an old fishing harbor, modern boat docks, and a tourism center. Jaffa is a major tourist attraction with a combination of old, new and restored buildings. Its visitor attractions include art galleries, souvenir shops, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, boardwalks, and shopping. It offers a variety of culture, entertainment and food (fish restaurants). The city is noted for its export of the Jaffa oranges.

External links

• Jaffa Port