A Palestinian village, located 11 km east of Jerusalem, and is part of its province. The village is based on the ruins of the Canaanite village of Jaba, which means the hill. It is 800 meters above sea level, with a total area of 13,407 dunums, while the built-up area is 253 dunums. The village is surrounded by the villages of Mukhmas, Anata, Hizma and al-Ram.\
SOME OF ITS MAIN FEATURES INCLUDE:
THE ROMAN TOWER
The so called Roman tower overlooks the village from the high hill. The tower was built during the Crusaders’ period (1100 AC). Under the tower in the ancient times there was a tunnel used to hide the citizens in case of attack.
THE OLD VILLAGE ON TOP OF THE HILL - PYALARA HOUSE
Near the Roman tower, the core of the old village was built around the house of the former chief of the village in an architectural style from the late Ottoman period. The local guide will explain the structure and the way of living of the village.
Now the building hosts the Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation (PYALARA) http://www.pyalara.org/ ).
GLASS FACTORY
Inside the village, not far from the old town there’s a Glass Factory, where it is possible to see the final stage of creation of the glass products, from the glass tubes.
In the near future a showroom of the glass factory will be realized in one of the restored houses (the information center). http://www.disarmingdesign.com/member/jaba-glass-factory-ps.
Visits available after reservation. Call one day earlier Mohammed Faraj Twam: +970 59 2107771, +97052 6823239, +97059 8445280.
JABA WOMEN ASSOCIATION
The Jaba Women Association, headed by Siham Bisharat (Umm Mutaz), has the main tasks to help the village women to develop their skills in a wide range of crafts and handworks.
They are able to offer and teach to the visitors to make their simplest handcrafts like embroidery, food products such as dairy products, pickles, olives, jams, that they also expose and sell in their seat.
When forewarned they can not only teach but also offer excellent Palestinian meals and sweets.
We suggest to give a prior notice to Siham Bisharat, Mob +972 522311900
NIGHT STAY: A PRECIOUS SOLUTION
In Jaba there are no structured hotels, B&B, guest houses or home stays. The Jaba Women Association can solve this problem and in the best way.
The president of the Association is ready to welcome the visitors to spend the night and also have a gastronomic dinner in her house, of course after reservation.
Address: Jaba Women Association or directly Siham Bisharat, Mob +972 522311900
If the lady's house is not available or the guests are too many, the visitors can have a stay in The Palestinian youth Association for leadership and rights activation “PYALARA” Home stay, Address: Jaba old village. Managed by PYALARA, Mob +972 522200511. Or in Jifna, at the Khouriya Family Home stay.
Address: Jifna. Managed by Rawda, Mob +972 599587476 and Issa Khouriya Mob +972 599673817, Email rkhouriya@yahoo.com
http://visitpalestine.ps/where-to-go/listing/ramallah-al-bireh/hotels-ramallah-al-bireh/khouriya-family-guesthouse/
STREET AND TAKE AWAY FOOD
Many shops offer refreshment and food in Jaba. We suggest two of them:
Falafel restaurant, next to Jaba Boys School, (small corner in the street). Falafel and kebab restaurant “Dallel Karshak” in the center of the village. Owner: Ali Sabiha Twam. Tel: +972 527441512. Open from 11am until 11 pm 7days.
Jaba coffee shop; center of village. Arabic coffee, tea, herbs, light meals. Pool table, cards and backgammon for those interested in playing while drinking their coffee or tea. Owner: Ahmad Twam. Tel: +972 586121719. Open from 11am until 11 pm 7days.
BEDOUIN CAMPS
The meeting with the Bedouins is organized by the local guide and is a precious opportunity to know the roots of the old tribal groups in Palestine and the present status and expression of their culture.
QALANDIA REFUGEES CAMP
Qualandia camp was built in1949 to host the Palestinian refugees from West Jerusalem, Haifa, Lydd, Ramleh and the area west of Hebron, after the “nakba” or “catastrophe" of 1948.
