Umm al-Fahm
Encyclopedia
Umm al-Fahm is a city in the Haifa District
of Israel
with a population of 43,300, nearly all of whom are Arab citizens of Israel
. The city is situated on the Umm al-Fahm mountain ridge, the highest point of which is Mt. Iskander (522 meters above sea level), overlooking Wadi Ara
. Umm al-Fahm is the social, cultural and economic center for residents of the Wadi Ara and Triangle
regions.
historian al-Maqrizi
, Umm al-Fahm was established in 1265. Its name means "Mother of Charcoal" in Arabic,) the village was surrounded by natural forests which were used to produce charcoal. Several archaeological sites around the city date to the Iron Age
, as well as Muslim
, Roman
and Hellenistic periods.
In the late 19th century, Umm al-Fahm was described as having around 500 inhabitants, of which some 80 people were Christians. The place was well-built of stone, and the villagers were described as being very rich in cattle, goats and horses. A Muqam for a Sheik Iskander was noted on a hill above.
In 1948, there were 4,500 inhabitants, mostly farmers, in the Umm al-Fahm area. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
, the Lausanne Conference of 1949
awarded the entire Little Triangle
to Israel, which wanted it for security purposes. On 20 May 1949, the city's leader signed an oath of alliegiance to the State of Israel. Following its absorption into Israel, the town's population grew rapidly. By 1960, Umm al-Fahm was given local council
status by the Israeli government. In 1965-1985, it was governed by elected councils. In 1985, Umm al-Fahm was given official city status
.
(99.7% Muslim
), with no significant Jewish population.There were 18,700 males and 18,000 females (36,800 total), with 51.2% of the population aged 19 years of age or younger, 18.2% between 20 and 29, 18.9% between 30 and 44, 7.8% from 45 to 59, 1.5% from 60 to 64, and 2.4% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was 3.2%.
According to CBS, there are a total of 17 schools and 9,106 students in the city: 12 elementary schools for 5,329 elementary school students, and 7 high schools for 3,777 high school students. In 2001, 50.4% of 12th grade students received a Bagrut
matriculation certificate.
In 1999, 500 residents were hurt in riots protesting government expropriation of lands. In September 2000, rioting at the onset of the Second Intifada left three dead and over 100 wounded. Since the 1990s, the municipality has been run by the Northern Islamic Movement. Ex-mayor Sheikh Raed Salah
was arrested in 2003 on charges of raising millions of dollars for Hamas. He was freed after two years in prison. Sheikh Hashem Abd al-Rahman
was elected mayor in 2007, and replaced in November 2008 by Khaled Aghbariyya
.
In a survey of Umm al-Fahm residents conducted by and published in the Israeli-Arab weekly Kul Al-Arab in July 2000, 83% of respondents opposed the idea of transferring their city to Palestinian jurisdiction.
held an exhibition there in 1999, and some of her art is still on show. The gallery offers classes to both Arab and Jewish children and exhibits the work of both Arab and Jewish artists. In 2007, the municipality granted the gallery a large plot of land on which a museum of Arab art will be built.
The architect is Senan Abdelqader.
The city has several football clubs; . Maccabi Umm al-Fahm
currently play in Liga Leumit
, the second tier of Israeli football, Hapoel Umm al-Fahm
play in Liga Artzit
(the third tier). Ironi Sayid Umm al-Fahm play in Liga Alef
(the fourth tier), and Beitar Umm al-Fahm play in Liga Gimel
(the sixth tier).
Green Carpet is an association established by the residents to promote local tourism and environmental projects in and around Umm al-Fahm.
movement decided to march in the city, and was met with protests by local residents.
The Israel National Police brought in 1,500 riot police and used tear gar and stun grenades to disperse both sides. The clashes resulted in injuries to many police and protesters.
Haifa District
Haifa District is an administrative district surrounding the city of Haifa, Israel. The district is one of six administrative districts of Israel, and its capital is Haifa...
of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
with a population of 43,300, nearly all of whom are Arab citizens of Israel
Arab citizens of Israel
Arab citizens of Israel refers to citizens of Israel who are not Jewish, and whose cultural and linguistic heritage or ethnic identity is Arab....
. The city is situated on the Umm al-Fahm mountain ridge, the highest point of which is Mt. Iskander (522 meters above sea level), overlooking Wadi Ara
Wadi Ara
Wadi Ara or Nahal Iron , refers to an area within Israel that is mostly populated by Arabs. It is located northwest of the Green Line and is mostly within Israel's Haifa District. Today, Highway 65 runs through the wadi.-Geography:...
. Umm al-Fahm is the social, cultural and economic center for residents of the Wadi Ara and Triangle
Triangle (Israel)
The Triangle , formerly referred to as the Little Triangle, is a concentration of Israeli Arab towns and villages adjacent to the Green Line, located in the eastern Sharon plain among the Samarian foothills; this area is located within the easternmost boundaries of both the Center District and...
regions.
History
According to the MuslimMuslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
historian al-Maqrizi
Al-Maqrizi
Taqi al-Din Ahmad ibn 'Ali ibn 'Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhammad al-Maqrizi ; Arabic: , was an Egyptian historian more commonly known as al-Maqrizi or Makrizi...
, Umm al-Fahm was established in 1265. Its name means "Mother of Charcoal" in Arabic,) the village was surrounded by natural forests which were used to produce charcoal. Several archaeological sites around the city date to the Iron Age
Iron Age
The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing...
, as well as Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
and Hellenistic periods.
In the late 19th century, Umm al-Fahm was described as having around 500 inhabitants, of which some 80 people were Christians. The place was well-built of stone, and the villagers were described as being very rich in cattle, goats and horses. A Muqam for a Sheik Iskander was noted on a hill above.
In 1948, there were 4,500 inhabitants, mostly farmers, in the Umm al-Fahm area. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War
1948 Arab-Israeli War
The 1948 Arab–Israeli War, known to Israelis as the War of Independence or War of Liberation The war commenced after the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine and the creation of an independent Israel at midnight on 14 May 1948 when, following a period of civil war, Arab armies invaded...
, the Lausanne Conference of 1949
Lausanne Conference, 1949
The Lausanne Conference, 1949 was convened by the United Nations Conciliation Commission for Palestine from 27 April to 12 September 1949 in Lausanne, Switzerland...
awarded the entire Little Triangle
Triangle (Israel)
The Triangle , formerly referred to as the Little Triangle, is a concentration of Israeli Arab towns and villages adjacent to the Green Line, located in the eastern Sharon plain among the Samarian foothills; this area is located within the easternmost boundaries of both the Center District and...
to Israel, which wanted it for security purposes. On 20 May 1949, the city's leader signed an oath of alliegiance to the State of Israel. Following its absorption into Israel, the town's population grew rapidly. By 1960, Umm al-Fahm was given local council
Local council (Israel)
Local councils are one of the three types of local government found in Israel, with the other two being cities and regional councils. As of 2003, there were 144 local councils in Israel, these being settlements which pass a minimum threshold enough to justify their operations as independent...
status by the Israeli government. In 1965-1985, it was governed by elected councils. In 1985, Umm al-Fahm was given official city status
City council (Israel)
A City council is the official designation of a city within Israel's system of local government.City council status may be granted by the Interior Minister to a municipality, usually a local council, whose population surpasses 20,000 and whose character is urban, defined as having areas zoned for...
.
Demographics
According to CBS, in 2001 the ethnic makeup of the city was 100.0% ArabArab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
(99.7% Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
), with no significant Jewish population.There were 18,700 males and 18,000 females (36,800 total), with 51.2% of the population aged 19 years of age or younger, 18.2% between 20 and 29, 18.9% between 30 and 44, 7.8% from 45 to 59, 1.5% from 60 to 64, and 2.4% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was 3.2%.
Economy
Since the establishment of Israel, Umm al-Fahm has gone from being a village to an urban center that serves as a hub for the surrounding villages. Most breadwinners make their living in the building sector. The remainder work mostly in clerical or self-employed jobs, though a few small factories have been built over the years. According to CBS, there were 5,843 salaried workers and 1,089 self-employed in 2000. The mean monthly wage in 2000 for a salaried worker was NIS 2,855, a real change of 3.4% over the course of 2000. Salaried males had a mean monthly wage of NIS 3,192 (a real change of 4.6%) versus NIS 1,466 for females (a real change of -12.6%). The mean income for the self-employed was 4,885. 488 residents received unemployment benefits and 4,949 received an income guarantee. In 2007, the city had an unofficial 30 percent poverty rate.Education
Bagrut
Te'udat Bagrut is the official Israeli matriculation certificate. The bagrut is similar to the British A-levels, German Abitur, French Baccalauréat, and Austrian Matura...
matriculation certificate.
Politics and government
The growing influence of fundamentalist Islam has been noted by several scholars.In 1999, 500 residents were hurt in riots protesting government expropriation of lands. In September 2000, rioting at the onset of the Second Intifada left three dead and over 100 wounded. Since the 1990s, the municipality has been run by the Northern Islamic Movement. Ex-mayor Sheikh Raed Salah
Raed Salah
Raed Salah is the leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel. He was born in Umm al-Fahm - an Israeli-Arab city bordering the Green Line - and was elected as the mayor of that city three times; in 1989, 1993 and 1997. He has eight children and is a former poetSalah was banned...
was arrested in 2003 on charges of raising millions of dollars for Hamas. He was freed after two years in prison. Sheikh Hashem Abd al-Rahman
Hashem Abd al-Rahman
Sheikh Hashem Abd al-Rahman, also known as Hashem Abdul Rahman, was mayor of Umm al-Fahm, an Israeli Arab city in the Wadi Ara region of Israel.A member of the Islamic Movement party in Israel, al-Rahman served as deputy mayor between 1989 and 1998....
was elected mayor in 2007, and replaced in November 2008 by Khaled Aghbariyya
Khaled Aghbariyya
Khaled Aghbariyya is the mayor of Umm al-Fahm, an Arab town in Israel. He assumed the post in November 2008.-External links:**...
.
In a survey of Umm al-Fahm residents conducted by and published in the Israeli-Arab weekly Kul Al-Arab in July 2000, 83% of respondents opposed the idea of transferring their city to Palestinian jurisdiction.
Culture, sport and tourism
The Umm al-Fahm Art Gallery was established in 1996 as a venue for contemporary art exhibitions and a home for original Arab and Palestinian art. The gallery operates under the auspices of the El-Sabar Association. Yoko OnoYoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
held an exhibition there in 1999, and some of her art is still on show. The gallery offers classes to both Arab and Jewish children and exhibits the work of both Arab and Jewish artists. In 2007, the municipality granted the gallery a large plot of land on which a museum of Arab art will be built.
The architect is Senan Abdelqader.
The city has several football clubs; . Maccabi Umm al-Fahm
Maccabi Umm al-Fahm F.C.
Maccabi Umm al-Fahm F.C. are a football club, from the north Israeli city of Umm al-Fahm. The club currently plays in Liga Leumit, the second tier of Israeli football. Home matches are played at the HaShalom Stadium.-Current Squad:...
currently play in Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
, the second tier of Israeli football, Hapoel Umm al-Fahm
Hapoel Umm al-Fahm F.C.
Hapoel Umm al-Fahm Football Club was an Israeli football club based in Umm al-Fahm.-History:Established in 1968, at the start of the 1990s the club was playing in Liga Alef . At the end of the 1998-99 season they were relegated to Liga Bet North B...
play in Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit
Liga Artzit was the third tier of Israeli football after the Premier League and Liga Leumit, and was run by the Israel Football Association.-Structure:...
(the third tier). Ironi Sayid Umm al-Fahm play in Liga Alef
Liga Alef
-History:League football began in Israel in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga Alef...
(the fourth tier), and Beitar Umm al-Fahm play in Liga Gimel
Liga Gimel
Liga Gimel is the fifth and bottom tier of Israeli football league system, a position it has held since 2009.-History:Between 1999 and 2009 it was the sixth tier after Liga Bet, Between 1974 and 1999 it was the fifth tier after the creation of Liga Artzit, and between 1949 and 1974 it was the...
(the sixth tier).
Green Carpet is an association established by the residents to promote local tourism and environmental projects in and around Umm al-Fahm.
2010 clashes
In October 2010 Umm Al-Fahm there were clashes when a group of 30 right-wing activists led by supporters of the banned KachKach and Kahane Chai
Kach was a far-right political party in Israel. Founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane in the early 1970s, and following his Jewish nationalist ideology , the party entered the Knesset in 1984 after several electoral failures...
movement decided to march in the city, and was met with protests by local residents.
The Israel National Police brought in 1,500 riot police and used tear gar and stun grenades to disperse both sides. The clashes resulted in injuries to many police and protesters.
See also
- List of Arab localities in Israel
- List of cities in Israel
- Population groups in Israel
- Balady citronBalady citronBalady Citron , is a variety of citron, or etrog, grown in Israel for Jewish ritual purposes. Balady is Arabic for "native." Local Arab farmers began using this name in the mid-19th century to distinguish this variety from the Greek citron, which was cultivated along the Jaffa seashore.The Balady...
Further reading
- Maps, weather and information about Umm el Fahm
- The Culture and Volunteer Association – Umm el-Fahm
- 'We are all Umm El Fahm' Protests against land confiscation in an Umm El Fahm, November 1998, Issue No. 86 The Other Israel ( newsletter of the Israeli Council for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.)
- Israeli Jews walk a path to new tourism in Umm el-Fahm By Orly Halpern, Apr. 6, 2006 The Jerusalem PostThe Jerusalem PostThe Jerusalem Post is an Israeli daily English-language broadsheet newspaper, founded on December 1, 1932 by Gershon Agron as The Palestine Post. The daily readership numbers do not approach those of the major Hebrew newspapers....
- In Israel’s Largest Muslim City, Strife Stirs Complex Emotions Jul 21, 2006 The Jewish Daily Forward