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ABOUT THE TOWN OF
BIRZEIT
(FROM HCEF)
Key Facts:
1.
Location:
approximately 15 kilometers northwest of
Jerusalem
2.
POPULATION: 7-10,000 people, plus 5,000 in the
Diaspora
3.
RELIGION:
About 60% Christian, 40% Muslim
4.
EDUCATIONAL CENTER: Birzeit University is the
first institute of higher education to be
established in Palestine. It is the widely
reputed to be the best university in Palestine.
5.
ECONOMY:
The majority of workers are unskilled laborers.
6.
EMPLOYMENT: Unemployment is about 60% across the
West Bank.
A. HISTORY OF THE AREA
The town of Birzeit (translated as
Well of Oil ) is located 15 miles (25
kilometers) northwest of Jerusalem's Center. It
is a traditional Christian village whose ruins
date back to the Byzantine era and beyond. Some
inhabitants belong to a long family history that
predates even the Byzantine age. An influx of
Christians from the east migrated into the area
about four hundred years ago to escape
persecution and stayed in the area because they
could enjoy more freedom to exercise their
religious beliefs. The town is part of the
historically Christian region north of
Jerusalem.
B. POPULATION PROFILE
 The
area around Birzeit was once self-sustaining.
The simple farming and pastoral lifestyle of the
people was destroyed after 1948. A massive
refugee camp was set up on church-owned property
to accommodate people fleeing death or forced
evacuation from their homes. That refugee camp,
Jalazon, now is home for almost 10,000 people
and is located a few miles from the town. In a
short time, the land could no longer support the
expanded population.
In 1967, even more people were
displaced across the country. The Muslim
newcomers came to purchase land and settle since
they realized they could not return home after
the wars. The demographics of the town began to
change as Christians opted to emigrate to the
West seeking economic opportunities and
political and social freedom.
C. ECONOMY
As Israel expanded and grew it was in
need of cheap manual labor to build Israeli
owned homes and businesses for the enormous
surge of immigrants who replaced the Arab
population. West Bankers and refugees
desperately in need of income were compelled by
necessity to work inside Israel during the day
and were forcibly returned home each night. The
local economy was restrained from natural growth
by restrictive measures designed to keep the
West Bank as a non-competitive market for
products produced inside Israel.
D. SOCIAL CONDITIONS
The people of Birzeit have suffered
considerably during the past decade of political
upheaval resulting in border closures, strikes,
curfews and violence. Businesses suffered, and
many closed their doors permanently. The
stagnation of the economy and the violence
during the past has had its effects on the
social and economic well being of the family.
Consequently, the strong, close family structure
that controlled social behavior in the past has
broken down. Furthermore, living near and
working with Israelis has created unreasonably
high expectations of living standards. More than
half of the townspeople have emigrated, and that
too has had many negative effects on the town.
Years of military control, frustrated
expectations of life, and near poverty
conditions have created a society that is
unstable and open to wide swings in political
stability. The instability itself creates
insecurity and resultant fears that contribute
further to social deterioration.
E. EMPLOYMENT
In 1991, Israel faced the problem of
providing for thousands of Russians coming to
the country. Over 200,000 workers from the West
Bank and Gaza were dismissed from their jobs.
Indeed, Palestinians were thereafter forbidden
to enter Jerusalem or Israel without permission
from the military government. The people found
themselves without jobs and without means to
create them.
Even though Birzeit is noted for its
fine university, Birzeit University, most of the
villagers cannot afford to attend it. Some of
the people work as support staff. The town
boasts a small pharmaceutical factory that also
provides employment. There are some shops to
provide basic necessities, but most people
travel to Ramallah for purchases and services.
The town is too small to provide income for many
of its residents.
F. EXODUS
A tragic reality of the second half of
this century is the uprooting and encouraged
exodus due to imposed hardships and
dispossession of many Palestinians from their
traditional lands. This is true of Birzeit and
its people. Sadly, many Birzeit residents leave
their homes after finishing their schooling for
better continuing education and life
opportunities in the Gulf Region and in Western
countries. It is estimated that more that 5,000
Birzeitis live outside the country. Many of
these exiles would like to return home, but
shifting politics have yet to improve existing
conditions to a point where former residents
inside and outside of Palestine feel confident
that they can come home again and live in peace
and with freedom.
G. EDUCATION CENTER
The town of Birzeit is noted for its
university, which is the best in Palestine. The
university was funded by the Nasir family
supported by friendly governments who wanted to
help provide the education necessary for
economic survival in today's competitive world.
The university has about 3,500 students and is
growing. Overall the university remains separate
from the town. Many of the students live in the
town, and this compounds the feelings of
hopelessness of the local young people who did
not finish their education. In fact, few young
people in Birzeit can afford to attend the
university in their hometown. In the past they
opted to take on manual work inside Israel to
help with family expenses. Today, they do not
have access to those jobs since they can no
longer enter Jerusalem or Israel.
FROM: http://www.hcef.org/index.cfm/ID/294.cfm |
