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Arad, Israel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Arad | ||
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| Hebrew | עֲרָד | |
| (Standard) | ʻArad | |
| Arabic | عراض | |
| Founded in | 1962 | |
| Government | City (from 1995) | |
| District | South | |
| Population | 23,300 (2005) | |
| Jurisdiction | 90,000 dunams (90 km²) | |
| Mayor | Mordechai "Moty" Brill | |
Arad (Hebrew: ערד, Arabic: عراض) is a modern city in the South District of Israel, on the border of the Judean and Negev deserts, 25 km west of the Dead Sea and 45 km east of Beersheba, near the famous Masada (Metzada).
Arad was founded in 1962 by a group of young Israelis, most of them ex-kibbutzniks and ex-moshavniks who were seeking an environment free of the urban ills of overcrowding, traffic, noise, and pollution. The founding ceremony was held on November 21, and attended by then-Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion.
The town's growth has closely followed a well-designed city plan. According to the city website, this was the first pre-planned city in modern Israel. It was given the status of a city on June 29, 1995. Arad's present population is about 23,300 and reflects the broad spectrum of Israeli society. There are Ashkenazim and Sephardim, secular and religious, Bedouins and Black Hebrews, native-born Israelis and new immigrants.
It is notable for its clean air and therefore serves as a major attraction to asthmatics worldwide.
Arad is named after the biblical Canaanite town located at Tel Arad (see Biblical archaeology regarding famous ostraca found here). The site of Tel Arad is located approximately 8 km from modern Arad.
Following Israel’s evacuation of Jewish settlers from the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government decided to also evacuate Arabs (mostly former Bedouins from Egypt) who resided in the village of Dahaniya, as they were considered by the Palestinians to be collaborators working for Israel, and feared for their lives if they stayed there. They were moved to Arad.
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Arad spans an area of 90,000 dunams (90 km²), one of the largest municipal areas in Israel, even though its urban area is much smaller. The historical site of Tel Arad and the Arad Park (also known as Ran Grove) can also be found within its municipal area, west of the urban core. Arad also has a commercial landing strip located slightly to the south of its urban core.
Neighborhoods in Arad are as follows: Gevim, Tlalim, Avishur, Halamish, Leva'ot, Ye'elim, Rishonim, Neurim, Maof, Khatzavim, Haredof, Shaked and Rotem, and Yehoshafat and Rananim which are under construction. These make up the entire city north of highway #31. South of the highway is Arad's industrial zone, which includes Arad Textile Industries, one of Israel's largest producers of towels. The WUJS Arad Institute, which runs a study program for Jewish college graduates from around the world, is also based in Arad.
Arad has been widely known for its Hebrew Music Festival, held annually around summertime since 1982. The festival was a great opportunity for new artists to become known, but also attracted Israel's best musicians and bands as it grew. In 1995, three teenagers were crushed to death in the large crowd, and since then the festival has become a minor event.
The Eshet Lot Artists Quarter is a section of Arad's industrial center, according to its initiators, with "its own brand of desert atmosphere, combining creativity and artistry is in the heart of the industrial zone, on the road leading down to the Dead Sea". The artists who are all inhabitants of Arad, aim to create a productive community with an enhanced sensitivity towards the environment.
Some of the galleries can be found at:
On the outskirts of Arad, near the hotel area, there is a large white monument by Yigal Tumarkin, called Mitzpe Mo'av which also offers a view of the Judean Desert. Nearby is a hikers' trail, called the Sculptural Walk (tayelet pisulit) and two hotels: Margo'a Arad and Yafe Nof Arad.
In accordance with the March 7, 2007 decision taken by the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee to move the national archive of Israel from Jerusalem to Arad, a museum is planned, which will display various gifts given to Israeli politicians over the years.
Arad has an elementary public school in every central neighborhood (Halamish, Avishur, Tlalim, Leva'ot and Ye'elim), as well as another school called Ofarim. There are two middle schools, Allon and Re'ut, both located near the junction of the Yeshayahu and HaKana'im streets. There is only one secondary school, Ort Arad, sharing a building with the Re'ut middle school.
In addition, there are several private schools in Arad, such as the religious grades 1-8 school by the Shuvu movement.
While it isn't customary for Israeli cities to have major unique laws, many cities have minor laws. In Arad, it is illegal to feed animals in public places.
Arad does not have any railways and therefore there are only two ways to get to Arad: by air or by bus. Arad's airfield is located to the south of the city, and serves domestic flights according to demand.
The main bus station of Arad, Arad Central Bus Station, was located on the corner of Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) Street and Jeuda (Yehuda) Street. It has however been closed due to operating without a license, and its bus stops are now located nearby on Jerusalem St. A multitude of Egged inter-city bus routes are served by the station, as well as two inner routes. The inter-city routes are as follows:
| Line | Route |
|---|---|
| 384 | Beersheba CBS - Ein Gedi |
| 385 | Beersheba CBS - Ein Bokek |
| 386 | Arad CBS - Beersheba CBS |
| 388 | Arad CBS - Beersheba CBS |
| 389 | Arad CBS - Tel Aviv CBS |
| 441 | Arad CBS - Jerusalem CBS (Sundays only) |
- (Hebrew) Official website
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| Cities | Arad · Ashdod · Ashkelon · Beersheba · Dimona · Eilat · Kiryat Gat · Kiryat Mal'akhi · Netivot · Ofakim · Rahat · Sderot |  |
| Local councils | Ar'ara BaNegev · Hura · Kuseife · Lakiya · Lehavim · Meitar · Mitzpe Ramon · Omer · Segev Shalom · Tel Sheva · Yeruham | |
| Regional councils | Abu Basma · Beer Tuvia · Bnei Shimon · Central Arava · Eshkol · Hevel Eilot · Hof Ashkelon · Lachish · Merchavim · Ramat Negev · Sdot Negev (Azata) · Shaar HaNegev · Shafir · Tamar · Yoav | |