History of Tel Aviv

Early History

Although modern-day Tel Aviv is one of the youngest medical tourism destinations, the surrounding region is literally steeped in history.  Nearby Jaffa, a city mentioned in both Testaments, is one of the oldest ports in the world. Its biblical ties are impressive.  Jaffa was Jonah’s embarkation point before being swallowed by the whale.  And the city’s founding allegedly dates back to the days of the Great Flood.  In Greek mythology, Jaffa is cited as the place where Andromeda was chained to a rock.  

Throughout its long history, Jaffa has known many masters.  In 1470 BC it went from Israelite to Egyptian control.  Although a prosperous region, it remained fairly behind the scenes until Arab and Muslim control in the 7th century.  Although a few Jews remained up till the 13th century, persecution by the Malmuks prompted scores of them to leave until the mid to late-1800s. 

Towards the close of the 19th century, the port began to overflow with enough Jewish settlers to necessitate a suburb just outside Jaffa. Officially incorporated as Tel Aviv (Hill of Springs) in 1909, this fledgling town was home to roughly of sixty families between Neve Tzedek and the Jordan River.  

The Exodus

This influx of immigrants sparked tensions between the Arab and Jewish communities, culminating in riots in 1921.  Consequently, many Jews left Jaffa to reside in Tel Aviv, which had an overwhelmingly Jewish population.   

Jewish immigration to the region increased dramatically in the 1930s as thousands fled from the Nazis.  At the time, the UK had erected an anti-immigration policy that heavily regulated Jewish expatriation.  Tel Aviv quickly became the center of Zionist resistance to Britain’s policy.  By 1948, the city’s population, even with an immigration ban in place, had increased to over 200,000.  Finally, on May14, 1948, David Ben Gurion proclaimed the State of Israel in the home of Mayor Diengoff.  

Modern Tel Aviv includes the port city of Jaffa and is Israel’s commercial, business, and medical tourism center.  Although Israel declared Jerusalem as its capital, there are only two embassies located there – the rest are all located in Tel Aviv.  The medical tourism industry here is flourishing, boosted by high-class facilities and renowned medical personnel.  The city’s economy has never been better, and Tel Aviv continues to be one of the most exciting cities in this part of the Middle East.

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