Ramla is an Arab city that was the center of the Ramla district during the British Mandate era. It was occupied by the Zionist enemy at the early hours of Monday, July 12, 1948, after a heroic resistance from its people. The majority of the Arab inhabitants were expelled, leaving only about 400 residents behind (see: the Battle of Lydda and Ramla). After 1948, numerous settlements were established on the outskirts of Ramla, including the “Ahismakh” colony in the northeastern part, the “Metzliah” colony in the southern part, and the “Yad Rambam” colony in the southeastern part.
A- Geographical Location
Ramla holds a significant geographical position as it is situated in the middle of the Palestinian coastal plain, southeast of Jaffa and southwest of Lydda. It lies at the intersection of roads and railways linking Egypt with the Levant and Iraq. Ramla is a natural connection point between the coastal plain and Mediterranean environment on one side and the mountain and Jordan Valley environment on the other. It is therefore a critical junction for transportation, linking the East and West, much like Lydda.
The Ramla area also acts as a close and fertile hinterland for the port of Jaffa, which flourished in the late mandate period. The port received ships carrying foreign goods which were distributed via Ramla to other parts of Palestine, and citrus fruits from the Lydda and Ramla area were exported abroad. The Srar Valley, which slopes from the Jerusalem mountains towards the Mediterranean Sea, provides a natural connection between Jerusalem and Ramla. The paved road and railway between Jerusalem and Ramla run along the valley, passing through Ramla and heading towards Jaffa. Ramla is 45 km away from Jerusalem, with the Bab al-Wad site (21 km from Ramla) and Latrun (16 km) overlooking the Jerusalem-Ramla route.
Ramla is well-connected by transportation routes. It is 3.5 km from Lydda station, 9.5 km from Asakir, 9 km from Bayt Dajan, 7 km from Saffand, and 10 km from al-Qubbah. It also benefited greatly from its proximity to the Lydda airport.
B- Terrain and Climate
Ramla is located on a flat area of the Palestinian coastal plain. Its elevation ranges from 75 to 100 meters above sea level, with the land sloping generally towards the north and northwest. The Habl Valley runs through the lands east of Ramla, and during the winter, it floods with rainwater, feeding the underground water reservoirs. This valley forms the eastern boundary of the agricultural land surrounding Ramla.
The land is primarily composed of fourth-period alluvium, where sea sands creep eastward through the coastal plain and clay deposits from valley floods that originate from the mountainous areas to the east. Therefore, the region has Mediterranean red soil, suitable for growing various crops, particularly citrus fruits, olives, and grains.
Surface water in Ramla is limited to the flooding of valleys during the winter. However, the region is rich in underground water, which is used for irrigation, drinking, and domestic and industrial needs.
The climate of Ramla is moderate, with an annual average temperature of around 20°C, ranging between 13°C in January and 26°C in August. Frost and snow are rare in the city, and the annual average relative humidity is about 65%. Ramla also benefits from cool sea breezes beginning at 9 AM, which temper the heat. The annual rainfall in Ramla exceeds 500 mm, which is sufficient for soil moisture storage and supports the growth of most types of agricultural crops.
C- Origin and Growth
Ramla is one of the cities in Palestine that was established during the Islamic era. There is no evidence of its location prior to this time. However, the area around the current site of the city was occupied during the Neolithic period by a farming village, which the Canaanites later developed into the village of Jazar (modern-day Abu Shusha). Remains of a wall, agricultural products, and some pottery shards were discovered from the ancient settlement.
The city was named Ramla due to the predominance of sand in the area. Before it was named Ramla, it was associated with a woman named Ramla, whom Caliph Suleiman bin Abd al-Malik encountered at her tent while he was in the area and built the town in her honor.
Suleiman bin Abd al-Malik, the Umayyad governor of Palestine during the reign of his brother, Caliph Walid bin Abd al-Malik, founded the city in 715-717 AH and moved the regional government from Lydda to Ramla. He constructed a palace, the governor’s house, and began building the mosque. Various tribes settled in Ramla, with some of the notable tribes being Lakhm and Kinanah. During the reign of Caliph Hisham bin Abd al-Malik, a canal was dug to bring water to the city, and wells were excavated for fresh water.
Ramla was mentioned by al-Istakhri as “the major city of Palestine, followed by Jerusalem in size.” The 12th-century traveler al-Muqaddasi praised the abundance of fruits, especially figs and dates, the sweetness of its waters, and the quality of its food. He highlighted the city’s blend of rural and urban qualities, with fortresses, mosques, inns, baths, spacious homes, and wide streets.
D- Historical Sites of Ramla
Among the most important historical sites in Ramla is the palace built by Caliph Suleiman bin Abd al-Malik, which now stands as the
municipal garden, with parts of its walls still visible. There are also the ruins of the White Mosque, which was originally built by Suleiman bin Abd al-Malik, destroyed by the Crusaders, and rebuilt by Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi. The current minaret is said to have been constructed during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Qalawun, built on the remains of a tower constructed by al-Zahir Baybars.
Another notable site is the Great Mosque, which was originally the Church of St. John the Baptist, established by the Crusaders in the 12th century. It has undergone several restorations, with the most recent one during the Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V.
The Onziya Basin, located about one kilometer northwest of Ramla, is a well-preserved Abbasid-era structure believed to have been built under the orders of Khayzuran, the wife of the Abbasid Caliph al-Mahdi, during the reign of her son, Harun al-Rashid, in 173 AH (789 CE). It is the only Abbasid relic remaining in the area.
E- Modern Ramla
Ramla developed significantly during the British Mandate period, with its population increasing from 6,500 before World War I to 7,312 in 1922, 10,347 in 1932, and 15,160 in 1945. By 1946, the population reached 16,370. This period witnessed urban growth, with buildings and infrastructures expanding along the main roads, especially the Ramla-Jaffa road.
However, Ramla’s prosperity was short-lived as it was affected by the catastrophe of 1948. In that year, the city was occupied by Israel, and most of its Arab population was expelled. Some of the houses were destroyed, leaving only a small number of residents. By late 1948, the population was reduced to around 1,547 people, but the influx of Zionist settlers increased the population to 20,548 by 1961. This migration led to the city expanding mainly towards the west and southwest.
By 1973, the population of Ramla had grown to about 36,000, including 4,800 Arabs. By 2001, the population reached 63,400, with Arab areas in the city receiving little attention from the Israeli occupation authorities. Most of the public services and facilities are concentrated in the Jewish neighborhoods, particularly in the newer parts of the city.
F- Functional Structure
The functions of Ramla have evolved since its establishment. Initially, the city was designed to be the capital of Jund Filastin due to its central location. It served as the capital during the Umayyad, Abbasid, and Mamluk periods. By the end of the Ottoman era, Ramla was the center of a district under the jurisdiction of Jaffa, overseeing 59 villages.
Ramla is a significant administrative, commercial, agricultural, industrial, and educational center, with its economy today heavily reliant on industry, especially cement production, and its proximity to the Tel Aviv and Jaffa regions.
The functions exercised by the city of Ramla are as follows:
- Administrative Function: This function has been present in Ramla since its inception, as the city was planned from the outset to be the capital of the region of Jund Filastin due to its strategic location. The Umayyads, Abbasids, and Mamluks all made Ramla the capital of Palestine. In the late Ottoman period, Ramla was the center of a district in the Jaffa administrative division, which included 59 villages. During the British Mandate, it became the center of a district named after it. The current Ramla district includes the cities of Ramla and Lod, along with 70 villages and several Jewish settlements. The district spans an area of 926.7 km². Prior to 1948, the Jewish population owned about 13.8% of the total land area of the district, and today they occupy the entire district. In 1922, the population of the district was about 49,075 people, increasing to 70,579 in 1931, and 127,270 in 1945. Today, Jews represent the majority of the population in the occupied district.
- Commercial Function: Ramla has been an important commercial center since the early days of Islam. In the past, the city was located on the trade route between Egypt and Greater Syria. Many merchants settled in Ramla due to its thriving commercial activity throughout different periods. During the British Mandate, the city served as a market for the surrounding villages, where many agricultural, animal, and industrial products were sold. The proximity of Lod, the largest city in the district, influenced Ramla’s commercial activities. Today, Ramla’s local market offers essential services to the neighboring Jewish settlements and also absorbs products from these settlements.
- Agricultural Function: Ramla’s location in a fertile agricultural region made agriculture a key function of the city. A large percentage of its population worked in agriculture, particularly olive cultivation, citrus farming, grain, and vegetables. Travelers who visited the city in past centuries noted its fertile land, abundant water resources, and diverse agricultural products, such as grapes, pomegranates, apples, oranges, watermelon, figs, dates, wheat, onions, and cotton. The city’s agricultural production played a key role in its commercial trade, with markets like the grain market, spice market, and cotton market being dedicated to specific agricultural products. In 1945, Ramla’s land area was approximately 38,983 dunams, with 1,169 dunams allocated to roads, railways, and valleys, and 185 dunams owned by Jews. By 1943, the land planted with olive trees reached about 7,420 dunams, and citrus trees covered 3,663 dunams.
- Industrial Function: Ramla has long been known for its traditional industries, such as cotton and linen fabric production, wool spinning, carpet weaving, dairy products, olive oil, soap, and others. During the British Mandate, the city’s industrial output grew, though it remained focused on light, traditional industries. Key industrial products included food products, textiles, and other manufactured goods. Today, the city’s economy depends on its industrial sector due to its location on the Jerusalem-Jaffa road and its position at the intersection of major rail lines, facilitating goods transport and commuting workers from nearby villages. The industry also benefits from the proximity of Ashdod’s water resources. Ramla is home to numerous large factories, with major industrial products including cement (with Israel’s largest cement factory), wood products, metal goods, engines, refrigerators, and canned foods. Most of the factories are concentrated in two industrial zones in the city.
- Educational Function: In the late Ottoman period, Ramla had seven schools, most of which were private. During the British Mandate, the city had two government-run secondary schools, one for boys and another for girls, in addition to three elementary schools: the Ramla Municipal Garden School, the Salahiyya School, and the National Girls’ School. The city also hosted other private schools, such as the Abbasiyya School, which was under the Supreme Islamic Council, the Catholic Girls’ School, and the Latin Tracing School. In 1946, the total number of school students in Ramla was 2,482. Many scholars graduated from Ramla, contributing to the education and upbringing of future generations of its population.
