COMMUNITY

INTRODUCTION

Chapter 5 describes the community situation in the communities surrounding jericho. This includes the environment, facilities, and the living conditions of its inhabitants in both the city and the refugee camps. Currently, most of the population is concentrated in the southern part of the city, including the urban area of Jericho, as well as the Ein El-Sultan Camp and the Aqbat Jaber Camp.

Flow of Life-Jericho community

Water is vital to the people of Jericho in the hot oasis. From the north to the south of Jericho, from the city to the refugee camps, from public to private areas, from the spiritual world to real life, the different needs of the people for water have allowed it to connect the whole of Jericho, forming communities that either contain or overlap.

Fig.06: Jericho Topographic Map. Drawn by author [2023]

Jericho is located 258 metres (846 ft) below sea level in an oasis in Wadi Qelt in the Jordan Valley, which makes it the lowest city in the world. The nearby spring of Ein es-Sultan produces 3.8 m3 (1,000 gallons) of water per minute, irrigating some 10 square kilometres (2,500 acres) through multiple channels and feeding into the Jordan River, 10 kilometres away. Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world, where people have been living their pairs since the Stone Age.

Their first community developed near the Ein esSultan spring. At that time people lived by water, and the fertile alluvial soil and abundant springs made Jericho an attractive place to settle. It is now the first permanent settlement on the site of Jericho.Jericho was also known as Canaan in ancient times. Over the millennia, the land of Jericho has been ruled by different powers, and it has been repeatedly occupied, destroyed, abandoned, and rebuilt. Now that Ein es-Sultan has become a heritage site, the main living area of the people is the southern part of the Jericho governorate. Water is vital to the people here in the hot desert environment. water in Jericho symbolises life.

10,000 years ago, early human civilisation emerged in the Jordan Valley, with the first permanent settlements developing near the Ein esSultan spring. As an oasis, Jericho has many small water areas spread out inside the city, which wraps around the city like a network of water that binds the people in Jericho’s neighbourhoods together. Water is vital to the people of Jericho in the hot oasis. From the north to the south of Jericho, from the city to the refugee camps, from public to private areas, from the spiritual world to real life, the different needs of the people for water have allowed it to connect the whole of Jericho, forming communities that either contain or overlap

Air views of Palestine. Air route following the old Jerusalem-Jericho Road. Modern Jericho. Source: Library of Congress, Matson (G. Eric and Edith) Photograph Collection [1931]

5.1 EIN ES-SULTAN SPRING

The most important water is the Ein es-Sultan spring. it is located across the road east of Tel Jericho, about 2 kilometres north-west of the modern city Nearby is the Tell es-Sultan heritage site and the Ein Sultan Camp, which is frequented by residents, travellers and refugees. Ein es-Sultan spring is an important community location, not only in terms of the history and myths that give residents a sense of belonging, but also physically as a place for community activities that bring local residents closer together

Road to Jericho, Jordan, etc. Elisha’s Fountain Source: Library of Congress, Matson (G. Eric and Edith) Photograph Collection [Estimate 1900 to 1920]

Elisha’s fountain, Jericho. Source: Library of Congress, Matson (G. Eric and Edith) Photograph Collection [Estimate 1944]

Ein es-Sultan spring have played an important role in shaping the history of the oldest city on earth. These myths are about Jericho women and spring spirits. These stories are rooted in the memories of the people of Jericho. The stories associated with the water are a part of the community’s memory and identity, which gives them a strong sense of belonging. The myths and rituals of purification and regeneration associated with “water” reached their zenith with Elisha of Jericho.

Nowadays, in the summer, Jericho, which is located in the river valley, is exceptionally hot. People would come to the spring to escape the heat. Children would swim or bathe in the springs to cool down. Occasionally, the Ein es-Sultan spring is also painted by some of people, either local residents or travellers from Jordan, Jerusalem or elsewhere. Needless to say, this culturally rich site attracts people from all over.

The water source has recently been made into a work of art. Beneath a beautiful shed, two pools stood next to each other on different elevations. In the first pool, bubbles rise from the depths of the earth, silently pooling together before gushing into the next pool, which leads to Jericho’s drinking water pipeline.

LOCATION PLAN

Ein as-Sulṭān is a Palestinian village and refugee camp situated in the Jericho Governorate of the State of Palestine. It is located in the Jordan Valley, on the eastern part of the West Bank, with easy access to the archaeological site of Tell es-Sultan, which is located around 1 km northwest from Jericho city.

TESTIMONY 1

Why is Ein es-Sultan Spring also known as Elisha Spring?

The biblical prophet Elisha sprinkled a handful of salt at Ein es-Sultan spring, which restored the fertility of the city, ended the history of women’s infertility, and revitalised the city. Therefore, Ein es-Sultan spring is also called Elisha spring.

What are the key locations in Ein es-Sultan Spring?

Ein es-Sultan Spring is now an attraction with a tourist centre. Nearby Tell es Sultan is an important archaeological site, and there is also the Ein es-Sultan Refugee Camp in the area.

Who would visit Ein es-Sultan Spring?

Tourists from Jerusalem or Jordan come to visit, artists come to paint, and children come to swim.

What is the role of Ein es-Sultan Spring for Jericho?

The Ein es-Sultan spring is now Jericho’s main source of water, and Anera’s pumping facility next to the spring’s mouth continues to provide a reliable flow of water at a steady pressure to 900 homes every day.

TESTIMONY - EIN ES-SULTAN SPRING

5.2 JAMAL ADBUL NASER ST.

CITY CENTER:

In Jericho’s downtown area, there are many locations where people gather. Among them are schools, and popular restaurants in the area near the Jericho Municipality. People love to gather and sing and dance, which makes the city come alive.

“Palestine Square is abuzz with traffic and raised confabulations. For a square of this size it’s a surprise it

has so many goings-on but then again it is Jericho! I stopped by one of the carts flogging dates and struck

up conversation with the owners. After a few minutes it became obvious that their primary purpose was to

listen to my anecdotes and share theirs over trading their fruit.”

— Thomas Mandel Jones said in his travel diary

“Jericho,

love of past, present, and the future,

I love you as every child who plays in your streets stumbles and drops of his blood mix with its soil loved you.

I love you as everyone who climb your orange, lemon, and palm trees to get your pure fruits loves you.

I love you as everyone who drank, played, swum in your water canals loved you.

Your water canals spread in your neighborhoods and streets like arteries

flood blood to bring life in you and in us ,

I love you as everyone who rides bicycles through your streets loves you,

I love you as everyone who picks Khobeze leaves, hwerneh , and hindba

leaves from your fields loves you.

I love you as everyone who collects chamomile and catnip from your valleys

and hills loves you,

I love you as all children who prepare their yearly kit for school trips to your quarters,

I love you as I love you all who seek warmth in the winter.”

— Jericho’s mayor wrote a poem about the city in his speech:

The water flows from the ancient ruins of the city to the current city, sustaining Jericho’s neighbourhood. There are now villas scattered throughout the city, where visitors from Jordan, Jerusalem, or further away come to spend their holidays. A portion of the water is piped to private pools in the villas.

Villas are similar in structure and appearance to other buildings, being two to three storeys high and having balconies. But the measure of whether they are villas or other dwellings is not the material or structure, but the surroundings and the people. Every villa will have a swimming pool as a holiday necessity. It seems that only buildings with swimming pools can be called Villa in Jericho. Each villa also has air-conditioning units hanging on the outside walls. And their drains are hidden inside the building, giving it a very neat appearance. Both outdoor and indoor spaces can accommodate a lot of people here. The view and space are very spacious.

And the residents’ houses are concentrated in the city centre. The houses along the streets usually have two or three floors, and people make the ground floor into shops, and the upper floors are where the residents live. Houses in residential areas are also usually two to three storeys.

In Arab culture, the living room is a space that is always ready to entertain unexpected guests; it is the most popular part of the house, with lots of cushions going on the sofa. And there is often fruit, nuts and black coffee ready to be served. It may be the least used space, but it is still the most symbolic, curated, and cared for.

These daily essentials can be found in the city centre at Jamal Abdul Naser St. Children really engage with the city as important members of the community. Every year the Scouts would parade down this street.

Jericho is a melting pot of religions and cultures. During the month of Ramadan, rituals are performed in the neighbouring mosque and there is a lot of traditional Ramadan food on the streets. On the night of Eid, there is a parade in the street. Also at Christmas, people celebrate and have activities here.

LOCATION PLAN

Jamal Abdul Naser St is on the north side of WADI EL-QELT, the busiest site and the heart of the city. At either end of the street are the Jericho Municipality and the New Mosque of Jericho, and most of Jericho’s events take place on this street.

TESTIMONY 2

What is the main purpose of this street?

Jamal Abdul Naser St. Between Jericho New Mosque and Jericho City Hall. It is mainly used as a market to provide food, clothing and other necessities to the people.

What are the events on Jamal Abdul Naser St.?

The street normally serves as a market, with large parades on festivals or major days. For example, Christmas and Eid are celebrated. Scouts perform in the street to celebrate the festivals. There is also a procession on this street to commemorate the martyrs, during their funerals.

What facilities are available near Jamal Abdul Naser St.?

This street is surrounded by mosques, Jericho city hall, petrol stations, clinics, health centres. There are also churches and schools to the north-west of the street.

TESTIMONY - JAMAL ADBUL NASER ST.

5.3 JERUSALEM ST.

Jerusalem St. is the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and is located in the south-west part of Jericho. It is a notable sight, with the very popular and laughter-filled Water Land on the east side of the road, while the refugee camp suffering through water struggle is on the west side of the road.

The gate of Aqbar Jaber Camp

Palestinian Orphans Day celebrated at Water Land

Located on the south side of the city, Water Land is another paradise belonging to children. Like Ein es-Sultan spring, residents or tourists come here every summer to escape the heat. The amusement park has a number of huge swimming pools for all levels, some of which are suitable for children and others for professionals. In addition, this amusement park has many facilities, including a buffet restaurant and resting places where families and friends can relax and unwind.

A number of events are also held here, and the General Directorate for Social Development in Jericho celebrated Palestinian Orphans Day at Water Land, which included more than 200 orphans. The staff distributed various meals and gifts and drew joy and happiness on their faces. Most of the activities are staffed by women from Ein es-Sultan Camp and Aqabat Jaber Camp. Aqabat Jabr Camp is regarded as the largest Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank. The infrastructure of Aqabat Jaber camp now includes two schools, three health centres, a food distribution centre, a children’s centre, and a women’s programme centre.

The camp is the suffering side of Jericho. Water Struggle is a huge hardship being suffered by the Aqabat Jaber Camp community. Although Mekerot, the Israeli water company, is the main supplier of water to the camp, the taps in the camp never flow with clean water, which is salty, chlorinated, and causes illness. UNRWA was able to provide some water to the camp by pumping from the nearby Ain al-Fawwar spring, but it was still insufficient for the daily needs of the residents. As a result, people in the camp have to pay a lot of money for drinking water. Drinking water here costs 20 shekels a glass, while a child’s ticket at Water Land across the street costs 30 shekels.

Compared to the city, the neighbourhoods of the camps are crowded, and the roads around them are unimproved. The buildings in the camp do not look much different from the city , but they are more densely populated than the houses in the city centre. Most of the buildings have water storage units placed on their roofs, making for a signature look.

The interior of the house is not spacious. Sometimes, in a family, three people may need to live in one room. The courtyards that come with the buildings are also tiny, but people still gather here to interact and form a close-knit community

LOCATION PLAN

Water Land is located on the east side of Jerusalem St. ,which is the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, and Aqabat Jabr Camp is on the west side of the road, opposite the Water Land.

TESTIMONY 33

What is the population of this camp?

Aqbat Jabr camp, located southwest of Jericho in the Jordan valley, is the largest camp in the West Bank by surface area. Prior to the 1967 hostilities, it was also one of the most populated camps, with approximately 30,000 refugees. Around 25,000 residents were displaced by the 1967 hostilities. Currently, the camp shelters 10,306 refugees, making it one the least densely populated camps in the West Bank.

What infrastructure is inside the camp?

The camp has two UNRWA schools, serving approximately 1,666 students from first to ninth grade. One UNRWA health centre provides primary health services including reproductive health, infant and child care, immunizations, screening and medical check-ups and treatment.

What are the economic resources of the camp residents?

Most of the camp is under full Palestinian control (Area A), with only a small part under Israeli control (Area C), the majority of which is agricultural land. Raising animals is an important source of income for many Bedouin families living in the camp.

What improvements are needed in the camp?

1. Improvement of water and electricity supply to mitigate the frequent power and water outages in the camp.

2. Improvement of the solid waste collection process and refurbishment of solid waste containers.

3. Shelter rehabilitation for the most vulnerable.

4. Maintenance of the streets in Aqbat Jabr.

TESTIMONY - AQBAT JABR CAMP