• Lydda

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 Jaffaand 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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Occupation Date: 11^th of July 1948.

Population

Attacking Israeli Force: Haganah and IZL forces attacking al-Lydd from the east via Khulda,

al Qubab, Jimzu and Danyal.

Act of Terror: Soon after the occupation, the Jewish Army committed their biggest

massacre in Palestine, which resulted in the killing of 426 men, women and children without

mercy. At least 176 of these people were slaughtered in the city’s main mosque. 19,9000

 people who used to call al-Lydd home, only, 1,052 were allowed so stay.