Gilo Neighborhood in Jerusalem
Gilo, an Israeli community in the Holy Land’s south-western east, is another fantastic neighborhood in Jerusalem. Gilo neighborhood is known to have more than 30,000 inhabitants of various sectors with Jews as the major occupant of the area.
The beautiful settlement is situated within the Municipality of Jerusalem but it is still believed to be a community since it is part of the circle of neighborhoods surrounding the city. The Israeli state has constructed a number of “neighborhoods” to encircle the capital city of Jerusalem. It is believed that these settlements were built in order to separate the city from their Palestinian counterparts and annex it for themselves.
The Gilo neighborhood was established on land that historically belonged to Palestinians, yet was effectively inhabited by Israel after the War of 1967. This annexation of a Palestinian neighborhood was confirmed with the Jerusalem Law of 1980, which officially marked this annexation and set in stone many new laws that would affect Palestinians.
It was one of the earliest neighborhoods to be constructed after the 1967 War, and is contiguous with pre-1967 Jerusalem. There are around 30, 0000 up to 50,000 more residents in Gilo, and they represent a diverse range of people – secular Jews, religious Jews, and Arabs.
At the current location of Gilo, an area dating back to the era of Israelite colonization during Iron Age I has been discovered and excavated. Pottery going back to 1200 BC has been unearthed, together with homes grouped around a small structured village.
Giloh was cited in two biblical texts which date back to the 5th century BC. The town was described in the Books of Joshua as well as in Samuel. Although, there are various scholars who though that the biblical Giloh is situated in the mountain hills of Hebron. They believe that today’s settlement is nearby the old location of Gilo.
The area is also recognized for its numerous schools and institutions, including those for people with impairments. One notable facility is the Beit Or a dormitory for people with Autism that was established in Gilo Neighborhood in March 2008. It is a place where people with Autism can live as independently as possible, while still having the support of an on-site staff and social activities to do every day.
Gilo is a neighborhood with a fascinating history. It has been noted that it houses 35 temples and one of them is the oldest in the entire country. The estimated date of this temple is 358 AD and was constructed in 190 BC. The synagogue overlooks a massive ancient burial site, which holds secrets that may provide a glimpse into an even earlier time of Jerusalem.
The Gilo community center implemented an advance hybrid water heating system in 2009, which was meant to save energy and minimize pollution. The system is powered by solar panels that provide water to be heated by natural gas (producing only water vapor emissions) and is capable of saving up to 20% on your monthly bills.
Gilo features plenty of parks and outdoor spaces to enjoy. Among the most popular is the JNF Park, which includes a variety of attractions such as a children’s playground and sports fields.
The Gilo neighborhood also offers an interesting alternative to the heavily-spoilt buildings that are scattered across Jerusalem and its close surroundings. The architecture of the area has been described as a strange hybrid between modernity and old-world charm, with certain buildings having a feel to them similar to the Old City’s buildings.
