Geography, History, and Modern Growth
Tulkarm is located in the western-central part of historical Palestine, in the northern West Bank. It occupies a unique geographical position at the transitional zone between the fertile coastal plains to its west and the mountainous terrain stretching to its east. This location places Tulkarm near the boundary between Palestinian territories under the Palestinian Authority and the areas occupied by Israel since 1948.
The city is 15 km from the Mediterranean Sea, with an elevation between 65 to 125 meters above sea level. Tulkarm is part of the historical “Triangle of Terror” (Tulkarm–Nablus–Jenin), known for its fierce resistance during the 1936 Palestinian revolt against British colonial rule and Zionist expansion.
Geostrategic Importance
Historically, Tulkarm has been a critical hub for trade and military logistics due to its central location. During the Ottoman and British Mandate periods, two major railway lines passed through the city: the Hejaz Railway, which connected Tulkarm with Damascus via Jenin, Afula, Beisan, Semakh, and Daraa, and the Eastern Express Railway, which linked Tulkarm to Cairo and Egypt.
Both lines ceased operation in 1948 after the Nakba and the establishment of the State of Israel.
The city's fertile lands, abundant water resources, and central position fostered rapid development, especially in the 20th century. Though originally a small village with Roman-era origins, it transformed into a growing urban center due to these favorable natural and strategic conditions.
Etymology of Tulkarm
The city's name evolved over the centuries: "Birat Soreqa" (Roman era): meaning "Well of the Vineyard", "Tur-Karm": Combining "Tur" (mountain) and "Karm" (vineyard or grapevine), "Tall-Karm": The Canaanite name during the Bronze Age, meaning "Hill of Grapevines", "Tur Karm": The name used during the Umayyad period, later Arabized into "Tulkarm."
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- Jamal Abdel Naser Circle
Historical Timeline
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Roman Period (3rd Century CE): Archaeological evidence places the city’s origins during this era.
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Canaanite Presence: Earlier settlements in the area are evidenced by findings in surrounding villages like Jat Karmel, Majdalion, and Gilgal.
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Ottoman Era (1516–1917): Tulkarm remained a small village until 1892, when it was declared the administrative center of the newly formed Bani Sa'b district, marking the beginning of its modern expansion.
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Mamluk Period: Sultan Baybars divided the city between two commanders in 1265 CE.
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British Mandate (1917–1948): British forces captured the city on September 20, 1918. The population grew significantly, from 3,349 in 1922 to 8,090 in 1945. This was driven by natural growth and rural migration due to better services, employment opportunities, and the establishment of a vibrant Saturday market.
Infrastructure & Urban Growth
Under Ottoman and British rule, Tulkarm developed key institutions:
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Ottoman-era structures such as the Old Gold Market, Seraya (government house), and the Qa'im Maqam building, which housed postal and telegraph services.
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Railway station on the Hejaz line facilitated travel and trade.
The city attracted migrants from Nablus and nearby villages, drawn by administrative jobs and growing commerce.
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- Tulkarm City
Post-1948 Displacement and Transformation
The 1948 Nakba significantly altered Tulkarm’s demography, while Israel annexed most of Tulkarm’s fertile western lands, thousands of Palestinians were displaced from nearby areas and sought refuge in the city. Nur Shams Refugee Camp was established to accommodate many of these refugees.
The city sustained its growth and development despite numerous challenges until the outbreak of the 1967 Six-Day War. The Israeli occupation that followed marked a turning point in Tulkarm’s modern history, unleashing a new wave of displacement. Nearly a quarter of the city’s population was forced to flee—many seeking refuge across the Jordan River—while at the same time, families from nearby villages, themselves affected by the conflict, migrated into the city.
Under Occupation and the Palestinian Authority
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1967–1995: The city endured Israeli occupation, land confiscation, and settlement expansion.
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1995 onward: Israeli forces withdrew from Tulkarm under the Oslo Accords, and the Palestinian Authority assumed control. Efforts began to revitalize the city’s institutions and infrastructure.
However, Israel retained control over the western part of the Tulkarm District, including 34 villages and 16 Bedouin encampments.
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- Tulkarm Today