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Balata Camp

Coordinates: 32°12′23.06″N 35°17′11.70″E / 32.2064056°N 35.2865833°E / 32.2064056; 35.2865833
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Balata Camp
Refugee Camp
Arabic transcription(s)
 • Arabicمخيم بلاطة
Balata as seen from Mount Gerizim
Balata as seen from Mount Gerizim
Balata Camp is located in State of Palestine
Balata Camp
Balata Camp
Location of Balata Camp within Palestine
Coordinates: 32°12′23.06″N 35°17′11.70″E / 32.2064056°N 35.2865833°E / 32.2064056; 35.2865833
StateState of Palestine
GovernorateNablus
Government
 • TypeRefugee Camp (from 1950)
Population
 (2017)[1]
 • Total14,635

Balata Camp (Arabic: مخيم بلاطة) is a Palestinian refugee camp established in the northern West Bank in 1950, adjacent to Balata village on the outskirts of the city of Nablus. Balata Camp had a population of 14,635 in 2017.[1]

History

In 1950, the UN gave the refugees from the Jaffa area temporary housing. These people initially refused the UN's offers, stating their eagerness to return to their homes. They desired no sense of permanence. After two years, they accepted the offer and settled at Balata.[2] In 1956, the Jaffa refugees desired more permanent housing. After the border with the State of Israel was sealed, the refugees moved into concrete housing that replaced the original tents.[2]

Education and culture

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) funds a school in the Balata camp, with approximately 5,000 pupils.[2] The Yaffa Cultural Center in Balata operates a guesthouse, children's theater and cinema, children's library and media center.[3] The American NGO, Tomorrow's Youth Organization, also operates classes for children from Balata.[4]

A boy in the Balata Camp, August 2011.

Political violence

In the 1980s and 1990s, Balata residents played a leading role in the uprising known as the First Intifada. In November 2007, Palestinian National Authority police officers climbed rooftops in Balata and engaged in gun battles with militants of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades who had turned the camp into a military stronghold. Five residents and a policeman were wounded in the shooting.[5]

Notable people

  • Balata, 1950; the refugees were still living in tents
    Balata, 1950; the refugees were still living in tents
  • Balata Camp, early 1950s
    Balata Camp, early 1950s
  • Demolished home in Balata, 2002, during the Al-Aqsa Intifada
    Demolished home in Balata, 2002, during the Al-Aqsa Intifada
  • Balata Refugee Camp, 2011
    Balata Refugee Camp, 2011
  • Balata Refugee Camp, 2015
    Balata Refugee Camp, 2015

References

  1. ^ a b Preliminary Results of the Population, Housing and Establishments Census, 2017 (PDF). Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) (Report). State of Palestine. February 2018. pp. 64–82. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  2. ^ a b c UNRWA page on the Balata camp UNRWA (archived on January 21, 2010).
  3. ^ Delegation from Danish Consulate visits YCC, Balata Camp (archived on March 21, 2012).
  4. ^ "Tomorrow's Youth Organization".
  5. ^ "PA Police Seal Balata Camp, Trade Fire With Militants" – via Haaretz.

32°12′N 35°17′E / 32.200°N 35.283°E / 32.200; 35.283;

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