The siege on Jerusalem, in 1948. The city’s residents are waiting for the water trucks from the lowlands.
One of the most trivial things nowadays, running water, was a treat and a dream in Jerusalem before the War of Independence.
Jerusalem was surrounded from all sides by Arab settlements that blocked the access roads to the city. Moreover, moving inside the city was dangerous and sometimes even impossible.
There were about 100,000 Jews who lived in isolated neighborhoods, among them, some were in Arabian neighborhoods. The Arabs, who were about 65,000 at that time, were trying to stop the caravans from the central area from bringing food, medicine, and water.
In March 1948, the city’s main roadway was blocked, making it impossible to bring a regular supply of weapons, medical equipment, food, and ammunition. All the while, the Jewish neighborhoods were continuously bombed and attacked.
At that time, individual trucks arrived from the central area carrying water for the residents, for drinking and cooking. Water was allocated to each family and used following strict discipline. People didn’t have cisterns at home, which was common in those days. So they stored the rainwater that was draining from the gutters, hence dependent on an external water supply.
In this picture, families are waiting for the distribution of water with cans and buckets on King George Street. The buildings in the background, from number 8 to 12, still exist today.
From April to June, several military operations were carried out in order to put an end to the siege and rejoin the lowland area. In June 1948, an alternative road was built in order to help people reach the city, and in July the siege ended.
Today, when we can afford to browse the Internet and book tables in luxury restaurants, trips abroad, or spa sessions, it is hard to imagine life without running water. But this was how most of our city’s residents lived until the War of Independence. And all this happened only 74 years ago, not in the days of Moses.
Running water, humiliation, the attacks of the Arab residents on Jewish neighborhoods, Jewish enclaves, wars and restraint, bravery, and resilience. This is our city.
Shabbat of peace to the far and near Jerusalem
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