Al-Bireh

Basic Information

Type

City

Governorate

Ramallah and Al-Bireh

Region

West Bank - Central

Overview

Al-Bireh is one of the oldest inhabited sites in Palestine, with evidence of occupation dating to the Canaanite period. Known biblically as Beeroth, it was a Hivite city mentioned in the Book of Joshua. The modern city forms a continuous urban area with Ramallah and has been profoundly affected by the same forces of occupation and settlement expansion. The Psagot settlement, established on hills east of Al-Bireh in 1981, overlooks the city and constrains its eastern expansion. The Beit El settlement (1977) sits just 3 km to the northeast. The Qalandia checkpoint to the south restricts movement to Jerusalem. Al-Bireh hosts the Al-Amari Refugee Camp, one of the oldest refugee camps in the West Bank, established in 1949 for refugees from the coastal plains and Lydda area. The camp's presence within the municipal boundary reflects the ongoing displacement caused by the Nakba.

Historical Significance

Ancient Canaanite city (Beeroth); today forms an integral part of the Ramallah-Al-Bireh-Beituniya metropolitan area. Hosts Al-Amari Refugee Camp, established 1949 for refugees from Jaffa, Lydda, and Ramleh.

Sources and record limitations

Source detail varies by record. Some entries include document and page references; others supply source names only. Check the cited material and the record's limitations before relying on a specific claim.

• PCBS 2017 Census
• ARIJ
• UN OCHA
• PASSIA
• Palestinian municipal records
• UNRWA

Al-Bireh forms a continuous urban area with Ramallah and Beituniya. The distinction between the three is now largely administrative.