Ashkelon: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox settlement | {{Infobox settlement | ||
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| translit_lang2_info2 = <!-- etc., up to translit_lang2_type6 / translit_lang2_info6 --> | | translit_lang2_info2 = <!-- etc., up to translit_lang2_type6 / translit_lang2_info6 --> | ||
<!-- images, nickname, motto ---> | <!-- images, nickname, motto ---> | ||
| image_skyline = Ashkelon | | image_skyline = Ashkelon city pic 1.jpg | ||
| imagesize = | | imagesize = 350px | ||
| image_alt = | | image_alt = | ||
| image_caption = The city | | image_caption = The city's beachfront district, with the [[Ajax|Thalassan Ocean]] (''foreground''). | ||
| image = | | image = | ||
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| blank_emblem_link = | | blank_emblem_link = | ||
| nickname = "The | | nickname = "The Beach City" | ||
| motto = | | motto = | ||
| anthem = | | anthem = | ||
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| established_title1 = Rebuilt and continuously inhabited | | established_title1 = Rebuilt and continuously inhabited | ||
| established_date1 = c. 578 CE | | established_date1 = c. 578 CE | ||
| established_title2 = | | established_title2 = Kiryas Ashkelon | ||
| established_date2 = | | established_date2 = | ||
| established_title3 = | | established_title3 = | ||
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| government_type = Strong Mayor-Council Form | | government_type = Strong Mayor-Council Form | ||
| governing_body = City Council | | governing_body = City Council | ||
| leader_party = | | leader_party = | ||
| leader_title = Mayor | | leader_title = Mayor | ||
| leader_name =[[Yossi Jacobi]] | | leader_name =[[Yossi Jacobi]] <br>([[National Liberal Party (Yisrael)|National Liberal]]) | ||
| leader_title1 = City Council President | | leader_title1 = City Council President | ||
| leader_name1 =[[ | | leader_name1 = [[Zalman Yager]]<br>([[Alternative for Yisrael]]) | ||
| leader_title2 = Minority Leader | | leader_title2 = Minority Leader | ||
| leader_name2 =[[ | | leader_name2 =[[Uzriel Mizrahi]]<br>([[National Liberal Party (Yisrael)|National Liberal]]) | ||
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<!-- population ----------------> | <!-- population ----------------> | ||
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags --> | | population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags --> | ||
| population_total = | | population_total = 398,671 | ||
| population_as_of = | | population_as_of = 2020 | ||
| population_rank = | | population_rank = | ||
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| demographics_type1 = Ethnic groups | | demographics_type1 = Ethnic groups | ||
| demographics1_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags --> | | demographics1_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags --> | ||
| demographics1_title1 = | | demographics1_title1 = [[Yisraeli Jews]] (87.7%) | ||
| demographics1_info1 = | | demographics1_info1 = | ||
| demographics1_title2 = | | demographics1_title2 = [[Yisraeli Christians]] (9.3%) | ||
| demographics1_info2 = | | demographics1_info2 = | ||
| demographics1_title3 = | | demographics1_title3 = Other (2.6%) | ||
| demographics1_info3 = | | demographics1_info3 = | ||
| demographics1_title4 = | | demographics1_title4 = | ||
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}} | }} | ||
The '''City of Ashkelon''', commonly referred to as '''Ashkelon''', is a large {{wp|Metropolitan area|metropolitan city}} in western [[Yisrael]], on the western coast bordering the [[Ajax|Thalassan Ocean]]. It is the third | The '''City of Ashkelon''', commonly referred to as '''Ashkelon''', is a large {{wp|Metropolitan area|metropolitan city}} in western [[Yisrael]], on the western coast bordering the [[Ajax|Thalassan Ocean]]. It is the third largest city in the country by population (nearly 400,000), edging out [[Modiin]] by thirty-thousand citizens. | ||
In {{wp|antiquity}}, it was a major port and {{wp|walled city}}, used by the ''{{wp|Canannites|Kenanim}}'', the ''{{wp|Philistines|Plistim}}'', and then the ''{{wp|Israelites|Yisraelim}}''. Towards the end of [[Monarchy of Yisrael#History|Latin rule of Yehuda]], the ancient city was destroyed and abandoned. | |||
A couple centuries later, it was refounded as a trading port in the early 6th-century by [[Yisraeli Jews]] under [[Latium|Latin sponsorship]]. It has transformed over the millennium and a half into a prosperous large-sized city and a center for maritime and industrial economic activities, as well as a major [[Ajax#Continents|West Scipian]] transportation hub. It is notable as one of only a handful of Yisraeli cities with [[Smoking_bans_in_Ajax|indoor smoking bans]]. | |||
The city remains a frequent foreign tourist attraction, drawing crowds of over 2 million every year. It is a "{{wp|global city}}" and has the second-largest economy for a metropolitan area in [[Ajax#Continents|North Scipia]]. The city has the 35th highest cost of living in the world. A "party capital" in Scipia, it has a lively {{wp|nightlife}} and 24-hour culture. | |||
It is the headquarters of the [[Roth Group]], the largest Yisraeli conglomerate. The [[Royal Yisraeli Political Academy system]] has one of its four campuses located inside the city. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Antiquity=== | |||
===Since the refounding=== | |||
==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
===Climate=== | ===Climate=== | ||
Ashkelon has a {{wp|Köppen_climate_classification#Csa:_Mediterranean_hot_summer_climates|Periclean hot-summer climate}}, with nearly year-round sunlight. {{wp|Wind current}}s from the southeastern North Thalassan Ocean bring cold air up from eastern [[Ajax#Continents|Oxidentale]], moderating the {{wp|humidity}} slightly and limiting rainfall to the winter months, usually between October and April. | |||
The city averages temperatures in the mid-60s °F during the winter, and upper 70s and low 80s °F in the summer months. The above-average hot temperatures often bring {{wp|Thermal comfort|thermal discomfort}} to its residents and visitors; freezing temperatures and snowfall are rare, even during the peak of the winter. The winter is characterized by steady, intense rainfall, usually between January and March, while the summer typically experiences numerous heat waves from warm fronts coming up along the West Scipian coast from {{wp|storm}}s originating from currents east of [[Sante Reze]]. | |||
==Cityscape== | ==Cityscape== | ||
== | ===Architecture=== | ||
Ashkelon is known for its {{wp|Eclecticism|eclectic}} {{wp|architectural style}}s from throughout its history. The oldest early {{wp|medievel era}} housing was built using [[Latium|neo-Latinic]] style, often mortar with sandstone and small walled gardens and entrance-ways. In the early {{wp|18th century}} under the [[Proclamation of the Kingdom of Yisrael|early Kingdom]], new Belisarian styles from [[Arthurista]] were highly influential, bringing {{wp|Georgian architecture}} into [[Yisrael]] for the first time. | |||
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were characterized by a number of foreign and domestic architects, often from the modernist and {{wp|Art Deco}} schools. During the rebuilding after the widespread destruction in the [[Year of Blood]] and the [[West Scipian Wars]], classicist, {{wp|Art Nouveau}}, and post-modernist designs began to proliferate. | |||
===Neighborhoods=== | |||
The city has numerous neighborhoods defined by distinct demographic populations and geographic iconography. | |||
The Beach and Marina Districts cover much of the beachfront properties along the coastline, populated by hotels, office buildings, private villas, yacht clubs and marinas and both public and private beaches. It is the most expensive area of the city, with rents and mortgages putting most residents out of reach. Consequently, it is a very wealthy and exclusive zone of private residents. It is overwhelmingly ''[[Chiloni-dati divide (Yisrael)#Nominal_Religious|Chiloni/Masorti]]'', with several famous {{wp|private community|private}} and {{wp|gated community|gated communities}} located on the beachfront and further inland in the district, such as "Aleph Bet Gimel Apartments," the "West Dock Village," and "Goldburg Luxury Estates." | |||
== | ==Demographics== | ||
The | The city population is {{wp|auto-segregation|highly self-segregated}}, [[Factionalism in Yisrael|mirroring other Yisraeli cities]]. A self-described "immigrant" city, Ashkelon has a large {{wp|foreign-born}} and {{wp|foreign expatriate}} population, as well as native-born city dwellers with strong ethnic, religious, and cultural immigrant customs and subcultures. | ||
[[Yisraeli Jews]] make up almost 88% of the population, followed by 10% being [[Yisraeli Christians]]. The remainder are foreign-born or foreign residents. | |||
The city has over 500 {{wp|synogogue|''shuls''}} and over 75 churches. The largest foreign group in the metropolitan area are [[Sydalon|Sydalenes]], followed by [[Arthurista]]ns and [[Ottonia]]ns. Many work in business, others in fashion and the arts. | |||
==Economy== | |||
==Culture== | ==Culture== | ||
==Media== | ==Media== | ||
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The local {{wp|newspaper of record}} is the ''[[Kalian Media Group|Ashkelon Coastal Intelligencer]]''. The city has over a two dozen radio stations. | The local {{wp|newspaper of record}} is the ''[[Kalian Media Group|Ashkelon Coastal Intelligencer]]''. The city has over a two dozen radio stations. | ||
Network television dominates both cable and satellite television in the city, with a | Network television dominates both cable and satellite television in the city, with a 2019 survey by the ''Ashkelonian Daily News'' finding that network TV commands 61% of the market compared to cable TV's 25% and satellite TV's 14%. | ||
==Government | ==Government and politics== | ||
===Municipal=== | ===Municipal=== | ||
====Form==== | ====Form==== | ||
Ashkelon has a {{wp|Mayor%E2%80%93council_government#Strong-mayor_form|Strong Mayor-Council}} form of government. The current mayor is [[Yossi Jacobi]] ([[National Liberal Party (Yisrael)|NLP]]). [[Yisraeli general election, 2020#Results|After the 2020 elections]], Jacobi remained one of the highest-elected officeholders from the [[Constitutional Liberal Party|CLP]]. However, upon the [[Constitutional Liberal Party#Dissolution|party's dissolution in April 2021]], Jacobi joined the Nat-Libs. As with the Con-Libs post-2020, he remains one of the most prominent {{wp|left-wing}} politicians in the country. | |||
The City Council has | The City Council has 15 seats, all elected "{{wp|at-large}}." After the 2020 municipal elections, the then-current City Council President is [[Uzriel Mizrahi]] ([[Constitutional Liberal Party|CLP]]) commanded a 8-7 {{wp|coalition}} with the [[Alliance of Greens, Seculars, and Workers]]. The then-Minority Leader [[Naomi Normstein]] ([[Royalist Conservative Party (Yisrael)|Conservative]]) formed a coalition opposition with the [[Alternative for Yisrael]]. However, with the fall of the Con-Libs in April 2021, the City Council Con-Libs splintered, with most joining the Nat-Libs and the Alliance member joining the [[Party of the Left]]. However, two ex-Con-Libs joined the AfY, and a [[Spring and flag coalitions#Spring_coalitions|spring coalition]] emerged of an AfY-RCP-Independent majority on City Council, making CLP-turned-AFY Councilman [[Zalman Yager]] the new City Council President as of May 6, 2021. | ||
====Politics==== | ====Politics==== | ||
==Education== | ==Education== | ||
==Infrastructure== | |||
The city has few high-ways and is mostly local roads. The city traffic has a reputation for being slow and congested. ''[[Kalian Media Group#List_of_assets_of_KMG|Yisrael Weekly]]'' rated Ashkelon as the second-worst traffic city in the country in 2017 and 2019. | |||
A private bus system with public subsidies operates in the city center, with a light rail company operating a outer-city passenger and commuter train line called the "Outer Loop." | |||
The [[West Scipian Railway]] has a {{wp|terminus}} starting in the city's Downtown District, [[West_Scipian_Railway#Lines|connecting north to Phillipopolis, Sydalon]]. | |||
== | ==List of prominent births and residents== | ||
* [[Noah Feldman]] (b. 1959) - former [[Presidency of Yisrael|President of Yisrael]] and former [[District system (Yisrael)|Governor of the Western District]]. | |||
* [[Yaakov Luzzatto]] (b. 1957) - prominent [[Knesset]] politician. | |||
* [[David Roth]] (b. 1988) - prominent [[Royalist Conservative Party (Yisrael)|Conservative]] politician; currently [[Yisrael#Cabinet|Minister of Justice]] under [[Presidency of Yisrael|President]] [[Yitzchok Katz]] and formerly [[Yerushalayim|Mayor of Yerushalayim]]. | |||
==See also== | |||
* [[Yisrael#Cities|Cities in Yisrael]] | |||
* [[Yerushalayim]] | |||
[[Category:Yisrael]] | [[Category:Yisrael]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:57, 10 June 2021
 | This article is incomplete because it is pending further input from participants, or it is a work-in-progress by one author. Please comment on this article's talk page to share your input, comments and questions. Note: To contribute to this article, you may need to seek help from the author(s) of this page. |
Ashkelon | |
|---|---|
| City of Ashkelon | |
 The city's beachfront district, with the Thalassan Ocean (foreground). | |
| Nickname: "The Beach City" | |
| Country | Yisrael |
| District | Western |
| Founded | c. 2000 BCE |
| Rebuilt and continuously inhabited | c. 578 CE |
| Founded by | Mordecai ben Bar-Lev |
| Government | |
| • Type | Strong Mayor-Council Form |
| • Body | City Council |
| • Mayor | Yossi Jacobi (National Liberal) |
| • City Council President | Zalman Yager (Alternative for Yisrael) |
| • Minority Leader | Uzriel Mizrahi (National Liberal) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 398,671 |
| Demonym(s) | Ashkeloner Ashkelonian |
| Ethnic groups | |
| Time zone | UTC-3 (WST) |
The City of Ashkelon, commonly referred to as Ashkelon, is a large metropolitan city in western Yisrael, on the western coast bordering the Thalassan Ocean. It is the third largest city in the country by population (nearly 400,000), edging out Modiin by thirty-thousand citizens.
In antiquity, it was a major port and walled city, used by the Kenanim, the Plistim, and then the Yisraelim. Towards the end of Latin rule of Yehuda, the ancient city was destroyed and abandoned.
A couple centuries later, it was refounded as a trading port in the early 6th-century by Yisraeli Jews under Latin sponsorship. It has transformed over the millennium and a half into a prosperous large-sized city and a center for maritime and industrial economic activities, as well as a major West Scipian transportation hub. It is notable as one of only a handful of Yisraeli cities with indoor smoking bans.
The city remains a frequent foreign tourist attraction, drawing crowds of over 2 million every year. It is a "global city" and has the second-largest economy for a metropolitan area in North Scipia. The city has the 35th highest cost of living in the world. A "party capital" in Scipia, it has a lively nightlife and 24-hour culture.
It is the headquarters of the Roth Group, the largest Yisraeli conglomerate. The Royal Yisraeli Political Academy system has one of its four campuses located inside the city.
History
Antiquity
Since the refounding
Geography
Climate
Ashkelon has a Periclean hot-summer climate, with nearly year-round sunlight. Wind currents from the southeastern North Thalassan Ocean bring cold air up from eastern Oxidentale, moderating the humidity slightly and limiting rainfall to the winter months, usually between October and April.
The city averages temperatures in the mid-60s °F during the winter, and upper 70s and low 80s °F in the summer months. The above-average hot temperatures often bring thermal discomfort to its residents and visitors; freezing temperatures and snowfall are rare, even during the peak of the winter. The winter is characterized by steady, intense rainfall, usually between January and March, while the summer typically experiences numerous heat waves from warm fronts coming up along the West Scipian coast from storms originating from currents east of Sante Reze.
Cityscape
Architecture
Ashkelon is known for its eclectic architectural styles from throughout its history. The oldest early medievel era housing was built using neo-Latinic style, often mortar with sandstone and small walled gardens and entrance-ways. In the early 18th century under the early Kingdom, new Belisarian styles from Arthurista were highly influential, bringing Georgian architecture into Yisrael for the first time.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were characterized by a number of foreign and domestic architects, often from the modernist and Art Deco schools. During the rebuilding after the widespread destruction in the Year of Blood and the West Scipian Wars, classicist, Art Nouveau, and post-modernist designs began to proliferate.
Neighborhoods
The city has numerous neighborhoods defined by distinct demographic populations and geographic iconography.
The Beach and Marina Districts cover much of the beachfront properties along the coastline, populated by hotels, office buildings, private villas, yacht clubs and marinas and both public and private beaches. It is the most expensive area of the city, with rents and mortgages putting most residents out of reach. Consequently, it is a very wealthy and exclusive zone of private residents. It is overwhelmingly Chiloni/Masorti, with several famous private and gated communities located on the beachfront and further inland in the district, such as "Aleph Bet Gimel Apartments," the "West Dock Village," and "Goldburg Luxury Estates."
Demographics
The city population is highly self-segregated, mirroring other Yisraeli cities. A self-described "immigrant" city, Ashkelon has a large foreign-born and foreign expatriate population, as well as native-born city dwellers with strong ethnic, religious, and cultural immigrant customs and subcultures.
Yisraeli Jews make up almost 88% of the population, followed by 10% being Yisraeli Christians. The remainder are foreign-born or foreign residents.
The city has over 500 shuls and over 75 churches. The largest foreign group in the metropolitan area are Sydalenes, followed by Arthuristans and Ottonians. Many work in business, others in fashion and the arts.
Economy
Culture
Media
The local newspaper of record is the Ashkelon Coastal Intelligencer. The city has over a two dozen radio stations.
Network television dominates both cable and satellite television in the city, with a 2019 survey by the Ashkelonian Daily News finding that network TV commands 61% of the market compared to cable TV's 25% and satellite TV's 14%.
Government and politics
Municipal
Form
Ashkelon has a Strong Mayor-Council form of government. The current mayor is Yossi Jacobi (NLP). After the 2020 elections, Jacobi remained one of the highest-elected officeholders from the CLP. However, upon the party's dissolution in April 2021, Jacobi joined the Nat-Libs. As with the Con-Libs post-2020, he remains one of the most prominent left-wing politicians in the country.
The City Council has 15 seats, all elected "at-large." After the 2020 municipal elections, the then-current City Council President is Uzriel Mizrahi (CLP) commanded a 8-7 coalition with the Alliance of Greens, Seculars, and Workers. The then-Minority Leader Naomi Normstein (Conservative) formed a coalition opposition with the Alternative for Yisrael. However, with the fall of the Con-Libs in April 2021, the City Council Con-Libs splintered, with most joining the Nat-Libs and the Alliance member joining the Party of the Left. However, two ex-Con-Libs joined the AfY, and a spring coalition emerged of an AfY-RCP-Independent majority on City Council, making CLP-turned-AFY Councilman Zalman Yager the new City Council President as of May 6, 2021.
Politics
Education
Infrastructure
The city has few high-ways and is mostly local roads. The city traffic has a reputation for being slow and congested. Yisrael Weekly rated Ashkelon as the second-worst traffic city in the country in 2017 and 2019.
A private bus system with public subsidies operates in the city center, with a light rail company operating a outer-city passenger and commuter train line called the "Outer Loop."
The West Scipian Railway has a terminus starting in the city's Downtown District, connecting north to Phillipopolis, Sydalon.
List of prominent births and residents
- Noah Feldman (b. 1959) - former President of Yisrael and former Governor of the Western District.
- Yaakov Luzzatto (b. 1957) - prominent Knesset politician.
- David Roth (b. 1988) - prominent Conservative politician; currently Minister of Justice under President Yitzchok Katz and formerly Mayor of Yerushalayim.