Jenin, dubbed the Palestinian “terror capital” by observers, has been in the news for the past few months as Israel continues to carry out counter-terrorism operations in a bid to save Israeli lives and prevent the actions of those who seek to harm the Jewish state.
But while Jenin is constantly being mentioned in the media, how much do we really know about Jenin?
In this series, we will take a look at different Jenin-related topics and hopefully provide a multi-faceted understanding of the city at the center of the current rise in violence and terrorism.
This is ‘Spotlight on Jenin.’
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In this piece, we will take a look at the modern history of Jenin, from the blood-soaked days of the Second Intifada through to the quiet years of economic growth and continuing on to the violent atmosphere that exists in the city today.
From The Arab Revolt to the Second Intifada: Jenin as a Hub of Palestinian Violence
Jenin’s history as a source of regional terrorism and violence actually extends back to before the creation of the State of Israel.
During the Arab Revolt (1936-1939), Jenin was the home to Arab brigands who attacked Jewish communities in the Jezreel Valley as well as British forces.
During the Israeli War of Independence, Jenin was used as a forward base for Arab armies attacking Jewish communities and members of the newly-formed IDF (Israel Defense Forces).
Following the June 1967 Six Day War, Israel gained control over Jenin. In 1996, as part of the Oslo Accords, Jenin came under the control of the Palestinian Authority.
Related Reading: Jenin: The Palestinian Terror Capital & Its Threat to the Region
During the Second Intifada, when Israel was subject to numerous mass-casualty terror attacks by different Palestinian terror groups, Jenin gained notoriety as “The Martyr’s Capital” due to the fact that it was a nest of Palestinian terror activity and a third of suicide bombers originated in the city.
Due to its high-profile status as one of the key centers of Palestinian terrorism, Jenin was the site of an 11-day battle between the IDF and Palestinian gunmen, which resulted in 23 IDF casualties and 53 Palestinian deaths (the majority of whom were combatants).
Related Reading: The Second Intifada: Israeli Society Terrorized
Economic Growth & Relative Calm: Jenin’s 15 Years of Quiet
Following the Second Intifada, Jenin entered into a period of quiet that was marked by economic growth and relative calm (with the occasional flare up of violence between the IDF and armed Palestinians).
During this period, Jenin saw an influx of capital from Arab Israeli investors, the establishment of the Arab American university, an increase in trade between Jenin and Israeli communities across the Green Line as well as a rise in Israeli work permits for residents of Jenin.
Israel & Palestinian Authority sign agreement to increase electricity supply for Jenin. Via @cogat_israelhttps://t.co/nkQBZ3kmpl pic.twitter.com/JKgXLOY8vo
— Israel in the EU (@IsraelinEU) July 11, 2017
Related Reading: Fact-checking The New York Times: There Is No Palestinian State
Jenin’s Return to Violence: 2021-Present
Since 2021, Jenin has seen a return to violence as a variety of internationally-designated Palestinian terror groups have gained control of the city’s streets from the Palestinian Authority’s security forces.
In particular, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Hamas and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades all have a strong foothold in Jenin and its adjacent refugee camp.
In addition, the Jenin Battalion was formed in 2021 as a conglomerate of Palestinian terror groups in order to more effectively resist IDF counter-terror operations and violently oppose any attempt at restoring calm to the region.
Related Reading: HonestReporting Quick Guide: The Top 5 Terror Groups Threatening Israel’s Existence
With the rise in Palestinian terrorism and violence since the beginning of 2022, much attention has been paid to Jenin as a number of high-profile terror attacks (such as the shooting attacks in Bnei Brak and Tel Aviv) have emanated from the region and subsequent anti-terror operations have led to protracted gun battles between Israeli forces and armed Palestinians.
With Jenin once again under the control of Palestinian terror groups, it seems that the city is heading back towards the dark days of the Second Intifada, when it served as a hub of terrorist activity and its residents were regularly subjected to violence and misery.
For Part Six: The Threat of Terrorism to Jenin’s Economy, click here
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Featured Image: Mazur/Catholic News via Flickr
