Beitar Illit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beitar Illit
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| Hebrew transcription(s) | ||
| • ISO 259 | Beitar ʕillit | |
| • Also spelled | Betar Illit (official) | |
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 Beitar Illit
Location in the West Bank
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| Region | West Bank | |
| Founded | 1985 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4,300 dunams (4.3 km2 or 1.7 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2017)
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| • Total | 54,557 | |
Beitar Illit (also spelled Betar Illit) is a city in the West Bank, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Jerusalem. It is known as an Israeli settlement and is home to many Haredi Jewish families. It is one of the largest and fastest-growing settlements in the area.
Contents
About Beitar Illit
What's in the Name?
The name Beitar Illit means "Upper Beitar." It is named after an ancient Jewish fortress city called Betar. The ruins of this old city are very close by, about 1 kilometer (half a mile) away. These ruins are known as Khirbet el-Yahud, which means "Ruin of the Jews" in Arabic. The nearby Palestinian village of Battir also keeps part of this ancient name.
Where is Beitar Illit Located?
Beitar Illit is in the northern Judean Hills, about 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level. It is near a main road called Route 60, which runs north to south. Another road, Route 375, connects it to the coastal plain and the Tel Aviv area. It takes about 10 minutes to drive to Jerusalem and about an hour to Tel Aviv.
History of Beitar Illit
How the City Started
Beitar Illit was first established in 1985. The land it was built on was taken from two nearby Palestinian villages, Husan and Nahalin. The first residents moved in around 1990.
Who Lives There?
Initially, a small group of young families started the community. But as Beitar Illit grew, many Haredi Jewish families, especially from the Bobover group, moved in and became the main population. Today, the city is home to many different Hasidic groups.
People and Community
How Many People Live Here?
Beitar Illit has grown very quickly. In 2003, about 23,000 people lived there. By 2007, the population had increased to 35,000. It continues to be one of the fastest-growing settlements.
A Young Population
A large part of Beitar Illit's population is very young. About 63 percent of the people living there are under 18 years old. This is the highest percentage of children in any Israeli city or settlement.
Community Life
The entire population of Beitar Illit is Haredi. About half of the people are Hasidic. There are many synagogues and mikvehs (ritual baths) that serve the community. The city is also known for its beautiful landscaping and cleanliness. There are 94 parks and hundreds of playgrounds for children.
Education in Beitar Illit
Since Beitar Illit is a Haredi community, all the schools follow Haredi traditions. There are nearly 20,000 schoolchildren in the city.
- About 6,000 children attend 225 preschools and daycare centers.
- Boys in elementary school go to 27 Talmud Torahs.
- Girls in elementary school attend 18 elementary schools.
- For older students, there are 21 yeshivas for boys and 11 high schools and post-high schools for girls.
- Married adult men often continue their studies in 75 kollels.
Work and Jobs
Many men in Beitar Illit work from home or in Jerusalem. Women often work for local companies that offer business process outsourcing. These companies are set up to fit the Haredi way of life.
City Achievements
Beitar Illit has received several awards for how it is managed and maintained.
- It has won the Israel Ministry of Interior's gold prize for "responsible management and sustainable urban planning" for eight years in a row.
- In 2002, it won a prize for saving water in public gardens and institutions.
- The city's welfare department was recognized as an "outstanding department" for its efforts to prevent teens from dropping out of school.
- From 2000 to 2013, Beitar Illit earned five out of five stars in the Council for a Beautiful Israel's "Beautiful Town in a Beautiful Israel" contest. This award recognizes a city's efforts in environment, looks, and cleanliness. In 2005, the city also won the "Beauty Flag" from the Council for a Beautiful Israel.
Status of Settlements
Israeli settlements in the West Bank, including Beitar Illit, are considered illegal under international law. However, Israel disagrees with this view. The international community believes these settlements go against the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prevents an occupying power from moving its own people into occupied land. The Israeli government argues that the Fourth Geneva Convention does not apply because the Palestinian territories were not legally held by a sovereign country before Israel took control. This argument has been rejected by the International Court of Justice and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Environmental Concerns
There have been some concerns about the environment around Beitar Illit. For example, some people have claimed that wastewater from the city has affected local water systems. Farmers from a nearby village have also reported issues with their natural wells drying up and sewage overflowing since Beitar Illit was established. The Israeli government has asked Beitar Illit to address these sewage problems.
Images for kids
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Beitar Illit skyline
See also
In Spanish: Beitar Illit para niños
