First New Palestinian City ‘in 1,000 Years’ Finally Opens Doors

A West Bank town touted by developers as “the first Palestinian city in 1,000 years” is welcoming its first residents, after years of delays and heated debate over whether it represents collusion with Israel’s occupation or defiance of it.

Rawabi’s limestone-colored residential towers rise out of a pastoral landscape of terraced hills northwest of Ramallah, a contrast to the low-rise Palestinian villages and Israeli settlements in the surrounding area. With its own schools, shops, services and cultural and religious attractions, the $1.2 billion project’s 6,000 planned units will eventually house about 40,000 people.