Jaffa Oranges and the History of a Palestinian Port City
Many Americans know the name Jaffa from oranges. Fewer know the city behind it: a Palestinian port on the Mediterranean with thousands of years of history and a story that still shapes Palestinian identity today.
One of the world's oldest ports
Jaffa has been a harbor town for millennia. Travelers bound for Jerusalem came ashore here, merchants traded across the Mediterranean, and the old city rose on a hill above the sea.
Where the Jaffa orange comes from
In the 1800s, Palestinian growers near Jaffa developed the Shamouti orange, a sweet variety with a thick peel that could survive long sea voyages. Citrus groves covered the coastal plain, and the fruit was exported around the world. For Palestinian families, the orange groves were a livelihood and a source of pride.
A thriving city
By the 1930s Jaffa was among the largest cities in Palestine, full of cafés, movie theaters, clubs and publishers. The Arabic newspaper Falastin, launched there in 1911, became one of the most important papers in the region.
1948
During the war of 1948, the great majority of Jaffa's roughly 120,000 Palestinian residents fled or were driven out, and only a few thousand stayed. In 1950 Jaffa was absorbed into Tel Aviv. Palestinians still live in the city today, especially in the Ajami neighborhood, and many families abroad still keep keys, papers and stories from Jaffa.
More than a fruit
For Palestinians, the Jaffa orange has become a symbol of memory and belonging. Hungry for more? Read our guide to Palestinian comfort food for fall.
Our Palestine Map and Palestine Hope designs carry that same connection to the land.
FAQ
+What is Jaffa known for?
Jaffa is an ancient Mediterranean port and was one of the largest Palestinian cities before 1948. It is also known for the Jaffa orange.
+Where does the Jaffa orange come from?
The Jaffa orange, also called Shamouti, was developed by Palestinian farmers near Jaffa in the nineteenth century and became a major export.
+What happened to Jaffa's Palestinian residents?
In 1948 most of Jaffa's Palestinian population fled or were expelled. The city was merged into Tel Aviv in 1950.
+Is there still a Palestinian community in Jaffa?
Yes, Palestinians still live in Jaffa today, particularly in the Ajami neighborhood.
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