**Al-Jura, Jerusalem**
**Definition:**
Al-Jura was a Palestinian Arab village located near Jerusalem, known historically for its agricultural economy and proximity to the city. It was depopulated during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and its lands were subsequently incorporated into the expanding urban area of Jerusalem.
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# Al-Jura, Jerusalem
## Introduction
Al-Jura (Arabic: الجورة) was a Palestinian Arab village situated in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Historically, it was part of the Jerusalem Subdistrict during the British Mandate period. The village was primarily agricultural, with its residents engaged in farming and animal husbandry. Al-Jura’s strategic location near Jerusalem made it significant in the socio-economic landscape of the region. However, the village was depopulated in the course of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and its lands were later absorbed into the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem.
## Etymology
The name „Al-Jura” is derived from the Arabic word „جورة,” which can mean a pit, depression, or hollow. This name likely refers to the village’s geographical features, possibly indicating a location in a valley or a low-lying area near Jerusalem.
## Location and Geography
Al-Jura was located approximately 3 kilometers southwest of the Old City of Jerusalem. The village was situated on a gentle slope overlooking the surrounding plains, with fertile lands suitable for agriculture. The terrain around Al-Jura included a mix of cultivated fields, olive groves, and natural vegetation typical of the Jerusalem hills.
The village’s proximity to Jerusalem made it part of the broader economic and social network of the city. It was accessible by road and footpaths connecting it to Jerusalem and neighboring villages.
## Historical Background
### Ottoman Period
During the Ottoman Empire, which ruled Palestine from 1517 to 1917, Al-Jura was a small agricultural village. Ottoman tax records from the 16th century mention the village, indicating its existence and agricultural productivity. The villagers paid taxes on crops such as wheat, barley, olives, and fruit trees, as well as on livestock.
The village was part of the administrative district (nahiya) of Jerusalem and was subject to the governance structures of the Ottoman provincial system. The population during this period was predominantly Muslim, with a traditional rural lifestyle centered on farming.
### British Mandate Period
Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, Palestine came under British administration as mandated by the League of Nations. During the British Mandate period (1920–1948), Al-Jura continued to be a small agricultural village. Census data from 1922 and 1931 recorded the population and demographic characteristics of the village.
The village’s economy remained largely agrarian, with villagers cultivating cereals, olives, and vegetables. The British authorities conducted land surveys and censuses, which provide detailed information about the village’s population, land ownership, and agricultural practices.
### Demographics
According to the 1945 statistics compiled by the British Mandate authorities, Al-Jura had a population of approximately 1,200 inhabitants, all of whom were Muslim. The village lands covered an area of several thousand dunams, with a significant portion dedicated to agriculture.
The population was organized into extended family groups, with social and religious life centered around the village mosque and communal institutions.
## Economy and Society
### Agriculture
Agriculture was the mainstay of Al-Jura’s economy. The villagers cultivated a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, olives, and vegetables. Olive trees were particularly important, providing oil for local consumption and trade. The village also maintained orchards of fruit trees such as figs and almonds.
Livestock raising, including sheep and goats, supplemented the agricultural economy. The villagers used traditional farming methods, relying on seasonal rainfall and irrigation from local springs.
### Social Structure
Al-Jura’s society was organized along traditional lines, with family and clan ties playing a central role. The village had a mosque that served as a religious and social center. Education was limited, with children often attending small local schools or studying informally.
The village elders and notable families held leadership roles, mediating disputes and representing the community in dealings with external authorities.
## 1948 Arab-Israeli War and Depopulation
### Context
The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the Nakba (catastrophe) by Palestinians, led to widespread displacement of Palestinian Arab communities. Al-Jura, due to its proximity to Jerusalem and strategic location, was affected by the hostilities.
### Depopulation
In the course of the conflict, Al-Jura was depopulated. The exact circumstances of the depopulation are subject to historical research and debate, but it is generally understood that the villagers fled or were expelled amid military operations and the broader collapse of Palestinian Arab resistance in the area.
Following the war, the village lands were incorporated into the expanding municipal boundaries of Jerusalem, and the original inhabitants were not permitted to return.
## Post-1948 Developments
### Incorporation into Jerusalem
After 1948, the lands of Al-Jura became part of the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem municipality. The village itself was destroyed or repurposed, and new neighborhoods and infrastructure were developed on or near its former lands.
### Legacy and Memory
The memory of Al-Jura persists among Palestinian refugees and their descendants, who maintain oral histories and documentation of the village’s existence and depopulation. The village is one of many Palestinian communities that were depopulated during the 1948 war, representing a significant chapter in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
## Archaeological and Cultural Significance
While Al-Jura was primarily a rural village, the area around Jerusalem is rich in archaeological sites and historical landmarks. Any archaeological remains from Al-Jura itself would contribute to understanding the rural life and settlement patterns in the Jerusalem region during the Ottoman and Mandate periods.
## Conclusion
Al-Jura was a small but historically significant Palestinian Arab village near Jerusalem, characterized by its agricultural economy and traditional social structure. Its depopulation in 1948 marked the end of its existence as a distinct community, with its lands absorbed into the expanding city of Jerusalem. The village’s history reflects broader themes of rural life, conflict, and displacement in the modern history of Palestine and Israel.
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**Meta Description:**
Al-Jura was a Palestinian Arab village near Jerusalem, known for its agricultural economy and depopulation during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Its lands were later incorporated into Jerusalem’s municipal area.