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Posted on November 12, 2000
The below article is from Encyclopedia Of The Palestinians edited by Philip Mattar
Lydda
Arabic, al-Lidd; Hebrew, Lod
Lydda's historical importance has stemmed from its position along communications and trade routes. It lies sixteen kilometers southeast of
JAFFA and constitutes the western gateway between the coast and JERUSALEM.
Lydda's origins are ancient. It was the object of strategic campaigns of numerous empires. The Romans called it
Diospolis. Its importance was eclipsed after 716 C.E. by that of the neighboring town
of RAMLA, which was established by the Arabs. Captured by the Crusaders, Lydda later became a stop on the Mamluk dynasty's mail route between Gaza and Damascus.
Lydda's importance to the communications network grew tremendously during the PALESTINE MANDATE. In 1919, it was made a stop on the Qantara-Haifa railroad line and became the country's main railroad junction. North of Lydda, Mandate authorities later constructed Palestine's
largest and only international airport. Lydda's population growth reflected the town's mounting importance: an urban area of some 7,000 in 1912, it grew to 11,250 in 1931 and 18,250 in 1946.
Lydda's land in the coastal plain was fertile, producing a variety of agricultural products, including citrus fruits. Given its strategic location, trade was also a key dimension of Lydda's economy. In addition to its shops, Lydda was home to a weekly market that drew thousands of people from neighboring villages. The town was also a center for traditional manufacturing.
Along with that of neighboring Ramla, the fate of Lydda and its inhabitants during the ARAB-ISRAELI WAR OF 1948 was a microcosm of the wider Palestinian experience. It was defended by Palestinian forces, irregular volunteers from Jordan, and units of the Jordanian Arab Legion.
Lieutenant General John Glubb, the Briton commanding the legion, refused to divert legion units from the important position of Latrun to reinforce Arab forces in the town. Lydda subsequently fell to the Palmach on July 11,1948, whereupon all but some 1,000 of its inhabitants were expelled.
As of 1992 Lydda (Hebrew, Lod) had some 41,600 inhabitants.
Michael R. Fischbach
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