Ashkelon

Ashkelon is a coastal city on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, in southwestern Israel. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the region, with a history spanning several thousand years. Today it is a modern city with a port, industrial facilities, and beaches.

The city lies near the border with Gaza. This location has made Ashkelon persistently involved in armed conflicts between Israel and armed groups in Gaza, particularly from rocket fire and air defense operations.

Early History

Ashkelon was historically one of the major cities of the ancient Philistines, said to have controlled five major cities. It subsequently came under the control of successive powers in the region: Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and Byzantium. During the Roman and Byzantine periods it was an important trading and port center. It was also significant during the early Islamic period and the Crusades, during which the city's fortifications were destroyed and rebuilt several times.

The Modern City

The present-day city emerged after 1948, built near the Arab village of al-Majdal, most of whose inhabitants were displaced during the 1948 war. Ashkelon grew through immigration of Jews from Europe, North Africa, and later the Soviet Union. It is now among the largest cities in the south of the country, with a population estimated in the hundreds of thousands.

Economy and Infrastructure

The city's economy depends on industry, coastal tourism, and facilities of national importance. It contains a large power plant and a seawater desalination facility that supplies part of the domestic water needs of the country. It also has coastal agriculture and port commerce.

Heritage and Tourism

Ashkelon's archaeological heritage—including remains of Roman streets, churches, and columns—is a national park visited by tourists. The long Mediterranean beach is among the major attractions for domestic tourism.