# Ashkelon

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City in Israel

This article is about the modern Israeli city. For the ancient Levantine metropolis, see [Ascalon](/source/Ascalon). For other uses, see [Ashkelon (disambiguation)](/source/Ashkelon_(disambiguation)).

City in Israel

Ashkelon אשקלון (Hebrew) عسقلان (Arabic) City Hebrew transcription(s) • ISO 259 ʔašqlon • Translit. Ashkelon • Also spelled Ashqelon, Ascalon (unofficial) Ashkelon skyline Ashkelon Marina Tomb of Sheikh Awad Ashkelon National Park Ashkelon Academic College Flag Coat of arms Interactive map of Ashkelon Country Israel District Southern Subdistrict Ashkelon Founded 5880 BCE (Neolithic settlement) 2000 BCE (Canaanite city) 1150 BCE (Philistine rule) 6th century BCE (Classical city) 15th century CE (Arab village) 1953 (Israeli city) Government • Type Mayor–council • Body Municipality of Ashkelon • Mayor Tomer Glam [he] Area • Total 47,788 dunams (47.788 km2; 18.451 sq mi) Population (2024)[1] • Total 166,864 • Density 3,491.8/km2 (9,043.6/sq mi) Demonym Ashkelonian Time zone UTC+2 (IST) • Summer (DST) UTC+3 (IDT) Website www.ashkelon.muni.il

**Ashkelon** ([/ˈæʃkəlɒn/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*ASH-kə-lon*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key); [Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language): אשקלון, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Hebrew): *ʾAšqəlōn*, IPA: [\[ʔaʃkeˈlon\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Hebrew) [ⓘ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ashkelon.ogg); [Arabic](/source/Arabic_language): عسقلان, [romanized](/source/Romanization_of_Arabic): *ʿAsqalān*) or **Ashqelon**, is a coastal city in the [Southern District](/source/Southern_District_(Israel)) of [Israel](/source/Israel) on the [Mediterranean](/source/Mediterranean_Sea) coast, 50 kilometres (30 mi) south of [Tel Aviv](/source/Tel_Aviv), and 13 kilometres (8 mi) north of the border with the [Gaza Strip](/source/Gaza_Strip). The modern city is named after the ancient seaport of [Ascalon](/source/Ascalon), which was destroyed in 1270 and whose remains are on the southwestern edge of the modern metropolis. The Israeli city, first known as **Migdal** (Hebrew: מגדל), was founded in 1949 approximately 4 km inland from ancient Ascalon at the Palestinian town of **al-Majdal** (Arabic: الْمِجْدَل, romanized: *al-Mijdal*). Its inhabitants had been exclusively Muslims and Christians, and the area had been allocated to [Palestine](/source/Palestine) in the [United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine](/source/United_Nations_Partition_Plan_for_Palestine); on the eve of the [1948 Arab–Israeli War](/source/1948_Arab%E2%80%93Israeli_War) the inhabitants numbered 10,000 and in October 1948, the city accommodated thousands more [Palestinian refugees](/source/Palestinian_refugees) from nearby villages.[2][3] The town was conquered by Israeli forces on 5 November 1948, by which time [much of the Arab population had fled](/source/1948_Palestinian_expulsion_and_flight),[4] leaving some 2700 inhabitants, of whom Israeli soldiers deported 500 in December 1948,[4] and most of the rest were deported by 1950.[5] Today, the city's population is almost entirely Israeli Jews.

Migdal, as it was called in Hebrew, was initially repopulated by Jewish immigrants and demobilized soldiers. It was subsequently renamed multiple times, first as Migdal Gaza, Migdal [Gad](/source/Tribe_of_Gad) and Migdal Ashkelon, until in 1953, the coastal neighbourhood of Afridar was incorporated, and the name *Ashkelon* was adopted for the combined town. By 1961, Ashkelon was ranked 18th among Israeli urban centers with a population of 24,000.[6] In 2024 the population of Ashkelon was 166,864, making it the third-largest city in Israel's [Southern District](/source/Southern_District_(Israel)).[1]

## Etymology

The name Ashkelon is probably [Western Semitic](/source/West_Semitic_languages), and might be connected to the [triliteral root](/source/Triliteral_root) *š-q-l* 'to weigh', from a Semitic root *ṯ-q-l*, akin to Hebrew *šāqal* (שָקַל) or Arabic *ṯiql* (ثِقْل), 'weight', perhaps attesting to its importance as a center for [trade](/source/Trade). It appears in late [Old Egyptian](/source/Old_Egyptian) in the [execration texts](/source/Execration_texts) in a form that suggests the earliest pronunciation was *ʾaθqalānu*, which shifts to *ʾaθqalōnu* in [Middle Egyptian](/source/Middle_Egyptian), demonstrating the [Canaanite shift](/source/Canaanite_shift) in the [2nd millennium BCE](/source/2nd_millennium_BCE).[7]

Its name appeared in [Phoenician](/source/Phoenician_language) and [Punic](/source/Punic_language) as šqln (𐤔𐤒𐤋𐤍) and ʾšqln (𐤀𐤔𐤒𐤋𐤍).[8] *Majdal* (Arabic) and *Migdal* (Hebrew) mean 'tower'.

## History

Main article: [Ascalon](/source/Ascalon)

### Ancient Ascalon (Asqalanu)

See also: [Gaza wine](/source/Gaza_wine) and [Gaza Jar](/source/Gaza_Jar)

The archaeological site of [Ascalon](/source/Ascalon), today known as Tel Ashkelon, was the oldest and largest seaport in [Canaan](/source/Canaan), part of [Philistia](/source/Philistia), the [pentapolis](/source/Pentapolis) (a grouping of five cities) of the [Philistines](/source/Philistines), north of [Gaza City](/source/Gaza_City) and south of [Jaffa](/source/Jaffa).

The site was an important city during [Roman](/source/Timeline_of_the_Palestine_region#Roman_period), [Byzantine](/source/Timeline_of_the_Palestine_region#Byzantine_period) and [pre-Crusades Muslim rule](/source/Bilad_al-Sham), and particularly during the period of the [Kingdom of Jerusalem](/source/Kingdom_of_Jerusalem), due to its location near the coast and between the [Crusader states](/source/Crusader_states) and Egypt. The [Battle of Ascalon](/source/Battle_of_Ascalon) was the last action of the [First Crusade](/source/First_Crusade). In 1270, the [Mamluk sultan](/source/Mamluk_Sultanate) [Baybars](/source/Baybars) ordered the fortifications and harbour of Ascalon to be destroyed. Its inhabitants moved to *Majdal 'Asqalān*, which was established by Baybars as a substitute 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) inland, and endowed with a magnificent[*[neutrality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Neutral_point_of_view) is [disputed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Ashkelon)*] [congregational mosque](/source/Congregational_mosque), a marketplace and religious shrines.[9]

 Depiction of Askalon (Ashkelon) in the [Umm ar-Rasas mosaics](/source/Umm_ar-Rasas_mosaics), 8th century CE

### Al Majdal, Asqalan

Established by Baybars following the destruction of [Ascalon](/source/Ascalon) in the 13th century, the Arab town of Majdal 'Asqalan is mentioned by historians and tourists at the end of the 15th century.[10] In 1596, Ottoman records showed Majdal to be a large village of 559 Muslim households, making it the 7th-most-populous locality in Palestine after [Safad](/source/Safed), [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem), [Gaza](/source/Gaza_City), [Nablus](/source/Nablus), [Hebron](/source/Hebron) and [Kafr Kanna](/source/Kafr_Kanna).[11][12] Al-Majdal derived part of its prosperity from its location along on the Cairo-Damascus road.[13]

An official Ottoman village list of about 1870 showed that *Medschdel* had a total of 420 houses and a population of 1175, though the population count included men only.[14][15]

 The area of modern Ashkelon cover the land of: Al Majdal, [Hamama](/source/Hamama), [Al-Jura](/source/Al-Jura), [Al-Khisas](/source/Al-Khisas%2C_Gaza) and [Ni'ilya](/source/Ni'ilya). The ruins of [Ascalon](/source/Ascalon) are also shown on the left hand side. Images from the 1871–77 [PEF Survey of Palestine](/source/PEF_Survey_of_Palestine).

In the [1922 census of Palestine](/source/1922_census_of_Palestine), *Majdal* had a population of 5,064; 33 Christians and 5,031 [Muslims](/source/Muslims),[16] increasing in the [1931 census](/source/1931_census_of_Palestine) to 6,226 (6,166 Muslims and 41 Christians) with 172 in the suburbs (167 Muslims, 4 Christians, and one Jew).[17]

In the [1945 statistics](/source/Village_Statistics%2C_1945) Majdal had a population of 9,910; ninety Christians and 9,820 Muslims,[18] with a total (urban and rural) of 43,680 [dunams](/source/Dunam) of land, according to an official land and population survey. 2,050 dunams were public land; all the rest was owned by Arabs.[19] of the dunams, 2,337 were used for citrus and bananas, 2,886 were plantations and irrigable land, 35,442 for cereals,[20] while 1,346 were built-up land.[21]

Majdal was known for the [majdalawi weaving](/source/Majdalawi_weaving) industry.[22] The town had around 500 looms in 1909. In 1920 a British Government report estimated that there were 550 cotton looms in the town with an annual output worth 30–40 million [francs](/source/French_franc).[23] But the industry suffered from imports from Europe and by 1927 only 119 weaving establishments remained. The three major fabrics produced were "malak" (silk), 'ikhdari' (bands of red and green) and 'jiljileh' (dark red bands). These were used for festival dresses throughout Southern Palestine. Many other fabrics were produced, some with poetic names such as *ji'nneh u nar* ("heaven and hell"), *nasheq rohoh* ("breath of the soul") and *abu mitayn* ("father of two hundred").[24]

In addition to agriculture, residents practiced [animal husbandry](/source/Animal_husbandry) which formed was an important source of income for the town. In 1943, they owned 354 heads of [cattle](/source/Cattle), 168 [sheep](/source/Sheep) over a year old, 170 [goats](/source/Goat) over a year old, 65 [camels](/source/Camel), 17 [horses](/source/Horse), 39 [mules](/source/Mule), 447 [donkeys](/source/Donkey), 2966 [fowls](/source/Fowl), and 808 [pigeons](/source/Domestic_pigeon).[25]

		- 1931-2 map of central El Majdal. Nearly all Palestinians who lived here and survived the 1947-8 [Nakba](/source/Nakba) were at first confined to a ghetto, then later expelled

		- Weavers in Majdal, 1934–39

The beginnings of the modern city of Ashkelon shown in the 1950s [Survey of Israel](/source/Survey_of_Israel). The built up area labeled אשקלון (Ashkelon) is the area previously known as Majdal. To the left is Afridar. The ruins of [Hamama](/source/Hamama), [Al-Jura](/source/Al-Jura), [Ni'ilya](/source/Ni'ilya) and [Al-Khisas](/source/Al-Khisas%2C_Gaza) are also shown.

#### 1948 war and depopulation of Palestinians

Further information: [Nakba](/source/Nakba)

Majdal was occupied by the Egyptian army in the early stages of the [1948 Palestine war](/source/1948_Palestine_war), along with the rest of the Gaza region, which had been allocated to the Arab State in the United Nations plan. Over the next few months, the town was subjected to Israeli air raids and shelling.[4] All but about 1,000 of the town's residents were forced to leave by the time it was captured by Israeli forces as a sequel to [Operation Yoav](/source/Operation_Yoav) on 4 November 1948.[4] General [Yigal Allon](/source/Yigal_Allon) ordered the expulsion of the remaining Palestinians, but the local commanders did not do so. The Arab population soon recovered to more than 2500, due mostly to refugees slipping back and also due to the transfer of Palestinians from nearby villages.[4][10] Most were elderly, women, or children.[10] During the next year or so, the Palestinians were held in a confined area surrounded by barbed wire, which became commonly known as the "ghetto".[6][10][26]

[Moshe Dayan](/source/Moshe_Dayan) and Prime Minister [David Ben-Gurion](/source/David_Ben-Gurion) were in favor of expulsion, while [Mapam](/source/Mapam) and the Israeli labor union [Histadrut](/source/Histadrut) objected.[4] The government offered the Palestinians positive inducements to leave, including a favorable currency exchange, but also caused panic through night-time raids.[4] The first group was deported to the [Gaza Strip](/source/Gaza_Strip) by truck on 17 August 1950 after an expulsion order had been served.[27] Deportation was approved by Ben-Gurion and Dayan over the objections of [Pinhas Lavon](/source/Pinhas_Lavon), secretary-general of the Histadrut, who envisioned the town as a productive example of equal opportunity.[28] By October 1950, twenty Palestinian families remained, most of whom later moved to [Lydda](/source/Lod) or Gaza.[4]

In 1951, a trial took place concerning the killing of Arab civilians in al-Majdal in 1949. The case focused on soldiers from a company stationed there to prevent Arabs from returning to the town. The tribunal found that “the [soldiers](/source/Soldier) sometimes ran wild,” and that some believed they were free to treat Arabs, especially “infiltrators,” as they wished. Based on testimony the court deemed credible, the killing of Arabs was regarded as “legal” by some fighters, and the person who killed was perceived among his comrades as a “chaver-man” (a “buddy” figure). The trial also discussed an incident in which young Arabs infiltrated al-Majdal to visit their parents who had remained in the town; soldiers captured them and executed them. In an unusual development, the report states that because the parents remained inside Israel, they testified in court, including an account by the father describing his son’s return from [Gaza](/source/Gaza_City) and the discovery of his body with bullet wounds to the chest, head, and back, as well as signs of beating.[29]

According to Israeli records, in total 2,333 Palestinians were transferred to the [Gaza Strip](/source/Gaza_Strip), 60 to Jordan, 302 to other towns in Israel, and a small number remained in Ashkelon.[10] Lavon argued that this operation dissipated "the last shred of trust the Arabs had in Israel, the sincerity of the State's declarations on democracy and civil equality, and the last remnant of confidence the Arab workers had in the Histadrut."[28] Acting on an Egyptian complaint, the Egyptian-Israel [Mixed Armistice Commission](/source/Mixed_Armistice_Commission) ruled that the Palestinians transferred from Majdal should be returned to Israel, but this was not done.[30]

### Repopulation of Ashkelon by Israelis

Majdal was granted to Israel in the [1949 Armistice Agreements](/source/1949_Armistice_Agreements). Re-population of the recently vacated Arab dwellings by Jews had been official policy since at least December 1948, but the process began slowly.[6] The Israeli national plan of June 1949 designated al-Majdal as the site for a regional [urban center](/source/Urban_area) of 20,000 people.[6] From July 1949, new immigrants and [demobilized](/source/Demobilization) soldiers moved to the new town, increasing the Jewish population to 2,500 within six months.[6] These early immigrants were mostly from [Yemen](/source/Yemen), [North Africa](/source/North_Africa), and [Europe](/source/Europe).[31]

In 1949, the town was renamed Migdal Gaza, and then Migdal Gad. Soon after, it became Migdal Ashkelon. The city expanded as the population grew. In 1951, the neighborhood of Afridar was established for Jewish immigrants from [South Africa](/source/South_Africa),[32] and in 1953 it was incorporated into the city. The current name Ashkelon was adopted and the town was granted [local council](/source/Local_council_(Israel)) status in 1953.

In 1955, Ashkelon had more than 16,000 residents. By 1961, Ashkelon ranked 18th among Israeli urban centers with a population of 24,000.[6] This grew to 43,000 in 1972 and 53,000 in 1983. In 2005, the population exceeded 106,000.

In 1949 and 1950, three immigrant transit camps ([ma'abarot](/source/Ma'abarot)) were established alongside Majdal (renamed Migdal) for Jewish refugees from [Arab countries](/source/Arab_world), [Romania](/source/Romania) and Poland. Northwest of Migdal and the immigrant camps, on the lands of the [depopulated Palestinian village](/source/1948_Palestinian_expulsion_and_flight) of [al-Jura](/source/Al-Jura),[33] entrepreneur [Zvi Segal](/source/Zvi_Segal), one of the signatories of Israel's Declaration of Independence, established the upscale Barnea neighborhood.[34]

A large tract of land south of Barnea was handed over to the trusteeship of the South African Zionist Federation, which established the neighborhood of Afridar. Plans for the city were drawn up in South Africa according to the [garden city](/source/Garden_city_movement) model. Migdal was surrounded by a broad ring of orchards. Barnea developed slowly, but Afridar grew rapidly. The first homes, built in 1951, were occupied by new Jewish immigrants from [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) and South America, as well as some native-born Israelis. The first public housing project for residents of the transit camps, the Southern Hills Project (Hageva'ot Hadromiyot), also known as Zion Hill (Givat Zion), was built in 1952.[34]

The [Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade](/source/Sheikh_Omar_Hadid_Brigade) launched a series of attempted rocket attacks toward Ashkelon from the Gaza Strip in 2015.[35][36] These included unsuccessful launches in June, August, September,[37] and October,[38] and one strike on September 18 that destroyed a bus and a residence but caused no reported casualties.[39]

Under a plan signed in October 2015, seven new neighborhoods comprising 32,000 housing units, a new stretch of highway, and three new highway interchanges will be built, turning Ashkelon into the sixth-largest city in Israel.[40][*[needs update](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*]

		- The area around Majdal had been allocated to the Arab state in the [United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine](/source/United_Nations_Partition_Plan_for_Palestine).

		- High-rise residential development along the beach (2007)

		- Harlington Hotel and 13th-century tomb of Sheikh Awad

## Landmarks

### Ashkelon National Park

The ancient site of [Ascalon](/source/Ascalon) is now administered as the [Ashkelon National Park](/source/Ashkelon_National_Park). The walls that encircled the city are still visible, as well as Canaanite earth ramparts. The park contains mainly Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader ruins.[41] The largest dog cemetery in the ancient world was discovered in Ashkelon.[42]

A Roman burial tomb two kilometres north of Ashkelon National Park was discovered in 1937. There are two burial tombs, a painted Hellenistic cave and a Roman cave. The Hellenistic cave is decorated with paintings of nymphs, water scenes, mythological figures and animals.[43]

### Bathhouses

In 1986 ruins of 4th- to 6th-century baths were found in Ashkelon. The bathhouses are believed to have been used for prostitution. The remains of nearly 100 mostly male infants were found in a sewer under the bathhouse, leading to conjectures that prostitutes had discarded their unwanted newborns there.[44]

### Religious sites

The remains of a 4th-century [Byzantine](/source/Byzantine_architecture) church with marble slab flooring and glass mosaic walls can be seen in the Barnea Quarter.[43] Remains of a synagogue from this period have also been found.[45]

#### Maqam al-Imam al-Husayn

An 11th-century mosque, [Maqam al-Imam al-Husayn](/source/Shrine_of_Husayn's_Head), a site of pilgrimage for both [Sunni](/source/Sunni) and [Shia](/source/Shia) Muslims,[46]: 185–186[47][48] which had been built by the [Fatimid Caliphate](/source/Fatimid_Caliphate) by [Badr al-Jamali](/source/Badr_al-Jamali) and where tradition held that the head of Mohammad's grandson [Hussein ibn Ali](/source/Hussein_ibn_Ali) was buried, was blown up by the [Israel Defense Forces](/source/Israel_Defense_Forces) under instructions from [Moshe Dayan](/source/Moshe_Dayan) as part of a broader programme to destroy mosques in July 1950.[49][50][51] The area was subsequently redeveloped for a local Israeli hospital, [Barzilai](/source/Barzilai_Medical_Center). After the site was re-identified on the hospital grounds, funds from [Mohammed Burhanuddin](/source/Mohammed_Burhanuddin), leader of a [Shi'a Ismaili](/source/Dawoodi_Bohra) sect based in India, were used to construct a small marble prayer platform, which is visited by Shi'ite pilgrims from India and Pakistan.[46][48][50][52]

A domed structure housing the 13th-century tomb of Sheikh Awad sits atop a hill overlooking Ashkelon's northern beaches.[53]

### Museums

Ashkelon Khan and Museum contains archaeological finds, among them a replica of Ashkelon's Canaanite silver calf, whose discovery was reported on the front page of *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*.[43]

The Outdoor Museum near the municipal cultural center displays two Roman burial coffins made of marble depicting battle and hunting scenes, and famous mythological scenes.[43]

### Marina and water park

The Ashkelon Marina, located between Delila and Bar Kochba beaches, offers a shipyard and repair services. Ashkeluna is a water-slide park on Ashkelon beach.[43]

		- [Ashkelon National Park](/source/Ashkelon_National_Park)

		- Ashkelon Marina

		- Palestinian Muslims at Mejdal, in [Mandatory Palestine](/source/Mandatory_Palestine) in April 1943, with *[Maqam al-Imam al-Husayn](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maqam_al-Imam_al-Husayn&action=edit&redlink=1)* in the background.

## Palestinians and Ashkelon

### Origins of Hamas

Further information: [List of towns and villages depopulated during the 1947–1949 Palestine war](/source/List_of_towns_and_villages_depopulated_during_the_1947%E2%80%931949_Palestine_war) and [Towns and villages in Mandatory Palestine](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Towns_and_villages_in_Mandatory_Palestine&action=edit&redlink=1)

[Jura](/source/Al-Jura)

[Yibna](/source/Yibna)

[Silwad](/source/Silwad)

Al‑Majal

[Bayt Tima](/source/Bayt_Tima)

Family origins of Hamas leaders.

Most of the founding members of Hamas were born in [Mandatory Palestine](/source/Mandatory_Palestine), outside of the [Gaza Strip](/source/Gaza_Strip), or have parents who were. Many of them were from villages that were in the vicinity of present-day Ashkelon, including most of the party's leaders:

- Founding leader [Ahmed Yassin](/source/Ahmed_Yassin) was born in [Al-Jura](/source/Al-Jura).[54]

- Yassin's successor [Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi](/source/Abdel_Aziz_al-Rantisi) was born in [Yibna](/source/Yibna).[55]

- The father of [Faiq](/source/Faiq_Al-Mabhouh) and [Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh](/source/Mahmoud_Al-Mabhouh) was from [Bayt Tima](/source/Bayt_Tima).[56]

- [Ismail Haniyeh](/source/Ismail_Haniyeh)'s parents [migrated](/source/1948_Palestinian_expulsion_and_flight) from [Al-Jura](/source/Al-Jura) to [Gaza](/source/Gaza_Strip#1948) in [1948](/source/1948_Palestine_war).[57]

- [Yahya Sinwar](/source/Yahya_Sinwar) was born in the [Khan Yunis](/source/Khan_Yunis_refugee_camp) in [Egyptian-occupied Gaza](/source/Occupation_of_the_Gaza_Strip_by_the_United_Arab_Republic) in 1962 to a family who [left](/source/1948_Palestinian_expulsion_and_flight) Ashkelon (then called Al-Majdal) during the [1948 Palestine War](/source/1948_Palestine_War).[58]

- One of few exceptions is [Khaled Mashal](/source/Khaled_Mashal), who was born in [Silwad](/source/Silwad), in the [Jordanian](/source/Jordanian_annexation_of_the_West_Bank) ruled [West Bank](/source/West_Bank).[59]

 Ashkelon is located in the 20–30 seconds' run to safety area due to [BM-21 Grad](/source/BM-21_Grad) rocket range.

### Palestinian conflict with modern Ashkelon

On 1–2 March 2008, rockets fired by [Hamas](/source/Hamas) from the [Gaza Strip](/source/Gaza_Strip) (some of them [Grad rockets](/source/BM-21#Gaza_Strip)) hit Ashkelon, wounding seven, and causing [property damage](/source/Property_damage). Mayor Roni Mahatzri stated that "This is a [state of war](/source/Declaration_of_war), I know no other definition for it. If it lasts a week or two, we can handle that, but we have no intention of allowing this to become part of our daily routine."[60] In March 2008, 230 buildings and 30 cars were damaged by rocket fire on Ashkelon.[61]

On 12 May 2008, a rocket fired from the northern Gazan city of [Beit Lahiya](/source/Beit_Lahia) hit a shopping mall in southern Ashkelon, causing significant structural damage. According to *[The Jerusalem Post](/source/The_Jerusalem_Post)*, four people were seriously injured and 87 were treated for [shock](/source/Post-traumatic_stress_disorder). Fifteen people suffered minor to moderate injuries as a result of the collapsed structure. Southern District [Police chief](/source/Chief_of_police) Uri Bar-Lev believed the Grad-model [Katyusha](/source/Katyusha_rocket_launcher) rocket was manufactured in [Iran](/source/Iran).[62]

In March 2009, a Qassam rocket hit a school, destroying classrooms and injuring two people.[63]

In November 2014, the mayor, [Itamar Shimoni](/source/Itamar_Shimoni), began a policy of discrimination against Arab workers, refusing to allow them to work on city projects to build bomb shelters for children. His discriminatory actions brought criticism from others, including Israeli Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu](/source/Benjamin_Netanyahu) and [Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem) mayor [Nir Barkat](/source/Nir_Barkat) who likened the discrimination to the anti-Semitism experienced by Jews in Europe 70 years earlier.[64][65]

On May 11, 2021, Hamas fired 137 rockets on Ashkelon[66][67] killing 2 and injuring many others.[68]

On October 10, 2023, during the [Gaza war](/source/Gaza_war), [Abu Obaida](/source/Abu_Obaida), spokesperson for Hamas, warned all citizens of Ashkelon to evacuate before 5:00 P.M. local time via a post to his [Telegram](/source/Telegram_(software)) channel. Once the deadline hit, Hamas launched a barrage of missiles towards Ashkelon.[69]

## Demographics

‹ The [template](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Template) *[Historical populations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Historical_populations)* is being [considered for merging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Templates_for_discussion/Log/2026_June_24#Template:Infobox_demographics). ›

Historical population Year Pop. ±% 1955 16,600 — 1961 24,300 +46.4% 1972 43,000 +77.0% 1983 52,900 +23.0% 1995 83,100 +57.1% 2008 110,600 +33.1% 2010 114,500 +3.5% 2011 117,400 +2.5% Source: [70]

In the early years, the city was primarily inhabited by [Mizrahi Jews](/source/Mizrahi_Jews), who moved to Israel after being [expelled or migrating from Muslim lands](/source/Jewish_exodus_from_Arab_and_Muslim_countries). Today, [Mizrahi Jews](/source/Mizrahi_Jews) still constitute the majority of the population. In the early 1950s, many [South African Jews](/source/South_African_Jews) settled in Ashkelon, establishing the [Afridar](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Afridar&action=edit&redlink=1) neighbourhood. They were followed by an influx of [immigrants from the United Kingdom](/source/British_Jews).[71] During the 1990s, the city received additional arrivals of [Ethiopian Jews](/source/Ethiopian_Jews) and [Russian Jews](/source/Russian_Jews).

## Ashkelon today

### Economy

Ashkelon is the northern terminus for the [Trans-Israel pipeline](/source/Trans-Israel_pipeline), which brings [petroleum products](/source/Petroleum_product) from [Eilat](/source/Eilat) to an [oil terminal](/source/Oil_depot) at the port. The Ashkelon seawater [reverse osmosis](/source/Reverse_osmosis) (SWRO) [desalination](/source/Desalination) plant is the largest in the world.[72][73] The project was developed as a BOT ([build–operate–transfer](/source/Build%E2%80%93operate%E2%80%93transfer)) by a consortium of three international companies: [Veolia](/source/Veolia) water, [IDE Technologies](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=IDE_Technologies_Ltd.&action=edit&redlink=1) and Elran.[74] In March 2006, it was voted "Desalination Plant of the Year" in the Global Water Awards.[75]

Since 1992, [Israel Beer Breweries](/source/Israel_Beer_Breweries) has been operating in Ashkelon, brewing [Carlsberg](/source/Carlsberg_Group) and [Tuborg](/source/Tuborg_Brewery) beer for the Israeli market.[76]

### Culture and sports

The [Ashkelon Sports Arena](/source/Ashkelon_Sports_Arena) opened in 1999. The "Jewish Eye" is a Jewish world film festival that takes place annually in Ashkelon. The festival marked its seventh year in 2010.[77] The Breeza Music Festival has been held yearly in and around Ashkelon's amphitheatre since 1992. Most of the musical performances are free. [Israel Lacrosse](/source/Israel_Lacrosse) operates substantial youth lacrosse programs in the city and recently hosted the Turkey men's national team in Israel's first home international in 2013.[78]

There is also a museum and art gallery called Ashkelon Khan Museum located in what was the Great Mosque (*Jamia al-Kabir*) that was constructed by [Sayf al-Din Salar](/source/Sayf_al-Din_Salar) in 1300.[12][79]

### Health care

See also: [Healthcare in Israel](/source/Healthcare_in_Israel)

Ashkelon and environs is served by the [Barzilai Medical Center](/source/Barzilai_Medical_Center), established in 1961.[52] It was built in place of [Hussein ibn Ali](/source/Hussein_ibn_Ali)'s 11th-century mosque, a center of Muslim pilgrimages, destroyed by the [Israeli army](/source/Israel_Defense_Forces) in 1950.[80] Situated ten kilometres (6 mi) from [Gaza](/source/Gaza_City), the hospital has been the target of numerous [Qassam rocket](/source/Qassam_rocket) attacks, sometimes as many as 140 over one weekend. The hospital plays a vital role in treating wounded soldiers and terror victims.[81] A rocket and missile-proof emergency room opened in February 2018.[82]

 [Barzilai Medical Center](/source/Barzilai_Medical_Center).

### Education

The city has 19 elementary schools, and nine junior high and high schools. The [Ashkelon Academic College](/source/Ashkelon_Academic_College) opened in 1998, and now hosts thousands of students. [Harvard University](/source/Harvard_University) operates an archaeological summer school program in Ashkelon.[83]

 [Ashkelon Academic College](/source/Ashkelon_Academic_College).

## Twin towns – sister cities

See also: [List of twin towns and sister cities in Israel](/source/List_of_twin_towns_and_sister_cities_in_Israel)

Ashkelon is [twinned](/source/Twin_towns_and_sister_cities) with:

- [Côte Saint-Luc](/source/C%C3%B4te_Saint-Luc), Quebec, Canada

- [Grodno](/source/Grodno), Belarus

- [Xinyang](/source/Xinyang), China

- [Iquique](/source/Iquique), Chile

- [Aix-en-Provence](/source/Aix-en-Provence), France[84][85]

- [Vani](/source/Vani), Georgia[86]

- [Kutaisi](/source/Kutaisi), Georgia

- [Aviano](/source/Aviano), Italy

- [Berlin-Pankow](/source/Pankow), Germany

- [Entebbe](/source/Entebbe), Uganda

- [Portland, Oregon](/source/Portland%2C_Oregon), United States

- [Baltimore, Maryland](/source/Baltimore%2C_Maryland), United States[87]

- [Sacramento, California](/source/Sacramento%2C_California), United States

Former:

- [Sopot](/source/Sopot), Poland (city partnership terminated in November 2025, citing the [Gaza genocide](/source/Gaza_genocide).)[88]

## Notable people

- [Ahmed Yasin](/source/Ahmed_Yasin) (1936–2004), Palestinian, the first [leader](/source/List_of_leaders_of_Hamas) of [Hamas](/source/Hamas).

- [Yitzhak Cohen](/source/Yitzhak_Cohen) (born 1951), Israeli politician, from the [Shas](/source/Shas) faction.

- [Avi Dichter](/source/Avi_Dichter) (born 1952), Israeli politician, from the [Likud](/source/Likud) faction.

- [Eva Erben](/source/Eva_Erben) (born 1930), Czech-Israeli writer and Holocaust survivor

- [Boris Polak](/source/Boris_Polak) (born 1954), world champion and Olympic sport shooter.

- [Shlomo Glickstein](/source/Shlomo_Glickstein) (born 1958), professional tennis player.

- [Yael Abecassis](/source/Yael_Abecassis) (born 1967), actress and model.

- [Topaz Luk](/source/Topaz_Luk) (born 1992), political advisor.

- [Zion Golan](/source/Zion_Golan) (born 1955), Israeli singer.

## See also

- [Scallion](/source/Scallion) and [shallot](/source/Shallot), types of onion known from and named after ancient Ascalon – *Ascalōnia caepa* or Ascalonian onion[89]

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- Townsend, Christopher (2006). *God's War: A New History of the Crusades*. Penguin Books ltd. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7139-9220-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7139-9220-5).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Ashkelon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ashkelon).

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Ashkelon](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ashkelon#Q60956)***.

- [Ancient fish hook suggests sharks were hunted off Israel's coast 6,000 years ago – LiveScience – 31 March 2023](https://www.livescience.com/ancient-fish-hook-suggests-sharks-were-hunted-off-israels-coast-6000-years-ago)

- [Ashkelon City Council](https://web.archive.org/web/20060827141931/http://www.ashkelon.muni.il/openning_eng.asp)

- ["Ashkelon, ancient city of the sea"](https://web.archive.org/web/20010611165001/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0101/feature4/), *[National Geographic](/source/National_Geographic_(magazine))*, January 2001

- [Ancient Ashkelon](http://oi.uchicago.edu/research/projects/ash/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080424034046/http://oi.uchicago.edu/research/projects/ash/) 24 April 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)—University of Chicago

- [English information on Ashkelon](https://ashkelon123.com/)—Ashkelon Volunteers

- [Welcome To The City of al-Majdal Asqalan](https://www.palestineremembered.com/Gaza/al-Majdal-Asqalan/index.html) Information and images about the historical Palestinian city of **Mijdal** and what remains of it today, as Ashkelon's **Migdal** neighbourhood

v t e Southern District of Israel Cities Arad Ashdod Ashkelon Beersheba Dimona Eilat Kiryat Gat Kiryat Malakhi Netivot Ofakim Rahat Sderot Local councils Ar'arat an-Naqab Hura Kuseife Lakiya Lehavim Meitar Mitzpe Ramon Omer Shaqib al-Salam Tel as-Sabi Yeruham Regional councils al-Kasom Be'er Tuvia Bnei Shimon Central Arava Eshkol Hevel Eilot Hof Ashkelon Lakhish Merhavim Neve Midbar Ramat HaNegev Sdot Negev (Azata) Sha'ar HaNegev Shafir Tamar Yoav See also Beersheba metropolitan area Negev Arabah Other sub-divisions: Central District Haifa District Jerusalem District Judea and Samaria Area Northern District Tel Aviv District

v t e Israeli cities 300,000+ Jerusalem* (East, West) Tel Aviv 200,000–299,999 Ashdod Beersheba Bnei Brak Haifa Netanya Petah Tikva Rishon LeZion 100,000–199,999 Ashkelon Bat Yam Beit Shemesh Hadera Herzliya Holon Kfar Saba Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut Ramat Gan Rehovot 50,000–99,999 Acre Afula Eilat El'ad Givatayim Hod HaSharon Kiryat Ata Kiryat Gat Lod Nahariya Nazareth Ness Ziona Ra'anana Rahat Ramla Netivot Rosh HaAyin Tiberias Umm al-Fahm Yavne 15,000–49,999 Arad Arraba Baqa al-Gharbiyye Beit She'an Dimona Giv'at Shmuel Kafr Qasim Karmiel Kfar Yona Kiryat Bialik Kiryat Malakhi Kiryat Motzkin Kiryat Ono Kiryat Shmona Kiryat Yam Ma'alot-Tarshiha Migdal HaEmek Nesher Nof HaGalil Ofakim Or Akiva Or Yehuda Qalansawe Ramat HaSharon Safed Sakhnin Sderot Shefa-Amr Tamra Tayibe Tira Tirat Carmel Yehud-Monosson Yokneam Illit *Limited recognition, see (Status of Jerusalem).

Authority control databases International VIAF GND FAST National United States France BnF data Spain Israel Geographic MusicBrainz area Pleiades Other IdRef İslâm Ansiklopedisi Yale LUX

[31°40′N 34°34′E / 31.667°N 34.567°E / 31.667; 34.567](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Ashkelon&params=31_40_N_34_34_E_region:IL)

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