Umm al-Fahm
Hebrew transcription(s)
• Hebrew	אֻם אל-פַחְם
Arabic transcription(s)
• Arabic	أم الفحم
View of Umm al-Fahm
Umm al-Fahm
Coordinates: 32°31′10″N 35°09′13″E / 32.51944°N 35.15361°E / 32.51944; 35.15361Coordinates: 32°31′10″N 35°09′13″E / 32.51944°N 35.15361°E / 32.51944; 35.15361
District	Haifa
Government
• Type	City
• Mayor	Khaled Hamdan
Area
• Total	22,253 dunams (22.253 km2 or 8.592 sq mi)
Population (2007)
• Total	43,300
Name meaning	Mother of Charcoal[1]

Umm al-Fahm (Arabic: أمّ الفحم‎, Umm al-Faḥm; Hebrew: אֻם אל-פַחְם‎‎) is a city in the Haifa District of Israel with a population of 43,300,^[2] nearly all of whom are Arab citizens of Israel.^[3] The city is situated on the Umm al-Fahm mountain ridge, the highest point of which is Mt. Iskander (522 meters above sea level), overlooking Wadi Ara. Umm al-Fahm is the social, cultural and economic center for residents of the Wadi Ara and Triangle regions.

History[link]

Umm al-Fahm sheikh signs an oath of allegiance to Israel, 1949

According to the Muslim historian al-Maqrizi, Umm al-Fahm was established in 1265. Its name means "Mother of Charcoal" in Arabic,^[4]) the village was surrounded by natural forests which were used to produce charcoal. Several archaeological sites around the city date to the Iron Age, as well as Muslim, Roman and Hellenistic periods.

In the late 19th century, Umm al-Fahm was described as having around 500 inhabitants, of which some 80 people were Christians. The place was well-built of stone, and the villagers were described as being very rich in cattle, goats and horses. A Muqam for a Sheik Iskander was noted on a hill above.^[5]

In 1948, there were 4,500 inhabitants, mostly farmers, in the Umm al-Fahm area. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Lausanne Conference of 1949 awarded the entire Little Triangle to Israel, which wanted it for security purposes. On 20 May 1949, the city's leader signed an oath of alliegiance to the State of Israel. Following its absorption into Israel, the town's population grew rapidly. By 1960, Umm al-Fahm was given local council status by the Israeli government. In 1965-1985, it was governed by elected councils. In 1985, Umm al-Fahm was given official city status.

Demographics[link]

This article is outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Please see the talk page for more information. (October 2010)

According to CBS, in 2001 the ethnic makeup of the city was 100.0% Arab (99.7% Muslim), with no significant Jewish population.There were 18,700 males and 18,000 females (36,800 total), with 51.2% of the population aged 19 years of age or younger, 18.2% between 20 and 29, 18.9% between 30 and 44, 7.8% from 45 to 59, 1.5% from 60 to 64, and 2.4% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was 3.2%.

Economy[link]

Since the establishment of Israel, Umm al-Fahm has gone from being a village to an urban center that serves as a hub for the surrounding villages. Most breadwinners make their living in the building sector. The remainder work mostly in clerical or self-employed jobs, though a few small factories have been built over the years.^{[citation needed]} According to CBS, there were 5,843 salaried workers and 1,089 self-employed in 2000. The mean monthly wage in 2000 for a salaried worker was NIS 2,855, a real change of 3.4% over the course of 2000. Salaried males had a mean monthly wage of NIS 3,192 (a real change of 4.6%) versus NIS 1,466 for females (a real change of -12.6%). The mean income for the self-employed was 4,885. 488 residents received unemployment benefits and 4,949 received an income guarantee. In 2007, the city had an unofficial 30 percent poverty rate.^[4]

Education[link]

School in Umm al-Fahm

According to CBS, there are a total of 17 schools and 9,106 students in the city: 12 elementary schools for 5,329 elementary school students, and 7 high schools for 3,777 high school students. In 2001, 50.4% of 12th grade students received a Bagrut matriculation certificate.

Politics and government[link]

The growing influence of fundamentalist Islam has been noted by several scholars^[vague].^[6][7][8][9]

In 1999, 500 residents were hurt in riots protesting government expropriation of lands. In September 2000, rioting at the onset of the Second Intifada left three dead and over 100 wounded. Since the 1990s, the municipality has been run by the Northern Islamic Movement. Ex-mayor Sheikh Raed Salah was arrested in 2003 on charges of raising millions of dollars for Hamas. He was freed after two years in prison.^[4] Sheikh Hashem Abd al-Rahman was elected mayor in 2007,^[10] and replaced in November 2008 by Khaled Aghbariyya.^[11]

In a survey of Umm al-Fahm residents conducted by and published in the Israeli-Arab weekly Kul Al-Arab in July 2000, 83% of respondents opposed the idea of transferring their city to Palestinian jurisdiction.^[12]

Culture, sport and tourism[link]

The Umm al-Fahm Art Gallery was established in 1996 as a venue for contemporary art exhibitions and a home for original Arab and Palestinian art. The gallery operates under the auspices of the El-Sabar Association.^[13] Yoko Ono held an exhibition there in 1999,^[14] and some of her art is still on show. The gallery offers classes to both Arab and Jewish children and exhibits the work of both Arab and Jewish artists. In 2007, the municipality granted the gallery a large plot of land on which a museum of Arab art will be built.^[4] The architect is Senan Abdelqader.^[15]

The city has several football clubs; . Maccabi Umm al-Fahm currently play in Liga Leumit, the second tier of Israeli football, Hapoel Umm al-Fahm play in Liga Artzit (the third tier). Ironi Sayid Umm al-Fahm play in Liga Alef (the fourth tier), and Beitar Umm al-Fahm play in Liga Gimel (the sixth tier).

Green Carpet is an association established by the residents to promote local tourism and environmental projects in and around Umm al-Fahm.^[3]

2010 clashes[link]

In October 2010 Umm Al-Fahm there were clashes when a group of 30 right-wing activists led by supporters of the banned Kach movement^[16] decided to march in the city, and was met with protests by local residents. The Israel National Police brought in 1,500 riot police and used tear gar and stun grenades^[17] to disperse both sides. The clashes resulted in injuries to many police and protesters.^[18]

See also[link]

• List of Arab localities in Israel
• List of cities in Israel
• Population groups in Israel
• Balady citron

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Umm al-Fahm

Bibliography[link]

Further reading[link]

• Maps, weather and information about Umm el Fahm
• The Culture and Volunteer Association – Umm el-Fahm
• 'We are all Umm El Fahm' Protests against land confiscation in an Umm El Fahm, November 1998, Issue No. 86 The Other Israel ( newsletter of the Israeli Council for Israeli-Palestinian Peace.)
• Israeli Jews walk a path to new tourism in Umm el-Fahm By Orly Halpern, Apr. 6, 2006 The Jerusalem Post
• In Israel’s Largest Muslim City, Strife Stirs Complex Emotions Jul 21, 2006 The Jewish Daily Forward

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