Why Al-Bireh
Al-Bireh is a city located along the central ridge of the West Bank in the State of Palestine, positioned approximately 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) north of Jerusalem. Situated at an elevation of 860 meters (2,820 feet) above sea level and covering an area of 22.4 square kilometers (8.6 square miles), it serves as the capital of the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate. Administered by the Palestinian National Authority, the city acts as a vital administrative hub housing numerous government ministries, public institutions, and international organizations.
Historically, Al-Bireh developed as a prominent commercial crossroad along the traditional caravan route connecting Jerusalem and Nablus. Throughout its long history, the location was known by various names, including Berea or Beroth during the Hellenistic period. During the medieval Crusader era, the settlement was named Birra or Magna Mahomeria and was granted as a fief to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. During this period, the Knights Templar established a hospice and church, alongside a local castle. Following its destruction by Ayyubid forces under Saladin in the late 12th century, the town was subsequently rebuilt, including the construction of a mosque dedicated to Umar ibn al-Khattab adjacent to the church ruins.
Under Ottoman rule from 1517 until 1917, Al-Bireh functioned as an administrative and political center. The city expanded significantly throughout the British Mandate period, establishing its first municipal council in 1928. Following periods of Jordanian administration and subsequent Israeli military control, civil governance was transferred to the Palestinian Authority in the 1990s. Today, Al-Bireh operates alongside neighboring Ramallah as a combined electoral constituency. It hosts key facilities such as the Palestine Broadcasting Corporation, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, and several national ministerial headquarters.
Visitors to Al-Bireh will find a community shaped by a mix of historical remnants, educational institutions, and civic developments. The city hosts a campus of Al-Quds University as well as specialized medical facilities like the Palestine Diabetes Institute. For athletic events, Al-Bireh features the 7,000-seat Majed Ass'ad International Stadium, which was modernized through international funding partnerships. The Al Bireh Youth Foundation remains a central civic organization, recognized for its football programs and long-standing scouts association.
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