in the West Bank is a Palestinian town. al eizariya is a reference to Lazarus of Bethany, a character from the New Testament who, in accordance with the Gospel of John, was resurrected from the dead by Jesus. The city‘s Tomb of Lazarus, the reputed location of the miracle, is a popular destination for pilgrims.
Less than two miles (3.2 km) from Jerusalem, the village is situated on the Mount of Olives’ southeast slope. With a population of 17,606, it is the second-largest Palestinian city in the Jerusalem Governorate (excluding East Jerusalem, which is under Israeli administration), according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. It is mostly under Israeli military authority rather than Palestinian Authority management because it is largely in Area C.
It is thought that people have lived there continuously from the sixth century BCE. Ananiah (or ‘Ananyab) was the name of the settlement according to American archaeologist William F. Albright in 1923–1924; nevertheless, Edward Robinson and others have linked Ananiah to the modern-day Beit Hanina.
One of East Jerusalem’s eastern neighborhoods you can find it on the historic Jerusalem-Jericho route, around two miles from Jerusalem. The facts of al eizariya have shifted dramatically in the last two decades. After the Oslo Accords 1993 were signed, al eizariya expanded to become an accommodation to the flood of migrants who came due to economic issues and the political expectation that it would be the main part of the future capital of the state of Palestine. This economic growth has since been disrupted by the failure of the Oslo Accords and the construction of the Separation Wall beginning in 2002.
Tomb of Lazarus and associated Christian churches
The Tomb of Lazarus in al eizariya is a classic traditional pilgrimage destination. The tomb is the purported area of the marvel recorded in the Gospel of John in which Jesus raises Lazarus of Bethany from the dead .(spiritual meaning of bethany) The area, sacred to both religions Christians and Muslims, has been identified as the tomb of the gospel(bethany in the bible) account since at least the 3rd-century C.E.
The entrance to Al-Eizariya is lined with a lot of shops and full of energy from the people, streets, and atmosphere, a clear indicator that this an evolving and expanding town. The key, unmissable tourist destination is the tomb of Lazarus, which is entered via a dark, damp, stone staircase. The beautifully restored pedestrian zone around it – which is called Bethany – is a great place to visit and explore.
There are souvenir markets and shops dotted along the stone steps selling handicrafts, clothes, bags, jewelry, postcards, and more. The present Catholic church built above the tomb is also a stunningly beautiful place to visit. Elsewhere in Al-Eizariya, there is a Greek Orthodox Church that houses a convent, although unfortunately tourist visits are not permitted as of 2015.
Where To Eat
There are markets and small restaurants selling local traditional Palestinian fare – shawarma, falafel, hummus, Mtabal and Manaqesh etc. – at very reasonable prices. Otherwise, in Jerusalem or even Ramallah and Bethlehem there are many restaurants and cafes.
Palestinian cuisine is a mouthwatering assortment of colorful, savory dishes that reflect distinct Middle Eastern and Mediterranean culinary traits.
However, Palestinian food has a distinctive character that distinguishes it from cuisines in the region and throughout the world.
Meals in Palestine are much more than just sources of energy and food. Food has a vital role in Palestinian culture. Food is a part of everything, from daily living to special occasions. It is about arranging unique events and spending quality time with the family.
Where To Stay
If you want to spend the night in Al=Eizariya , there is no possibility you will wind up in an inn’s stable. There are several sizable hotels accessible, and near Jerusalem, as well as more charming smaller lodgings. It’s offers a range of lodging alternatives; frequently, the kind of lodging offered vary on the region, but generally speaking, lodgings provide you the chance to engage with locals al-eizariya pronunciation
Weather and Climate in Al-Eizariya
When traveling to any nation, it’s important to be aware of the local weather and pack appropriate clothing. In this section, we’ll go through what to wear in Palestine during each of its beautiful seasons. The height of Al-Eizariya affects its moderate climate, which has pleasant, sunny summers and mild, dry winters (with chilly nights) (during which thunderstorms often break out).
Summers are long, lasting from May to September, with July and August being the hottest months. Temperatures range between 23-36° C (75-96° F) and you can expect 50-90% humidity. The good news is that there is air-conditioning almost everywhere you go, from buses and taxis to malls and hotels. However, it is really important to prepare for these temperatures, especially when spending time outdoors. Buy good sun protection, wear long but cool clothes and make sure to drink plenty of water.
Autumn is, for the most part, a continuation of the summer weather. It does get a little cooler and the humidity drops, so it is more comfortable. The season starts in September and at the end of November it starts getting cooler and we might see a little rain, but not too much. September is usually as warm as summer, but the temperatures in autumn are similar to those of spring and range between 16-24° C (60-75° F).
Depending where you come from you might not even consider the city weather “real winter weather”. This is the wettest time of the year and temperatures range between 6-15° C (42-60° F). Israeli schools have a winter break for Channukah during December, this usually doesn’t affect accommodation but activities tend to get crowded. Also, tourists from nearby countries use their winter breaks to enjoy the warmer temperatures in this city.
Spring is between March and May and this is the ideal time to visit this city. You usually won’t see much rain and the temperatures are mild, ranging between 16-24° C (60-75° F), although the nights might still be chilly. Passover falls in April so if you are planning on visiting during this time keep in mind that prices of flights and accommodation will rise and tend to get booked early.