History of Haifa in Timeline

Haifa is Israel's third-largest city, with a population of 298,312 in 2023, forming part of the third-most populous metropolitan area in Israel. It is home to the Baháʼí World Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a significant destination for Baháʼí pilgrims.

1900: Growth of Jewish Population

By 1900, the Jewish population in Haifa had risen to 1,500.

1903: Construction of Jezreel Valley Railway

Between 1903 and 1905, the Jezreel Valley railway branch of the Hejaz Railway was constructed. This railway increased trade volume and attracted workers to the city.

1905: Completion of Jezreel Valley Railway

Between 1903 and 1905, the Jezreel Valley railway branch of the Hejaz Railway was constructed. This railway increased trade volume and attracted workers to the city.

1909: Relocation of the Báb's Remains

In 1909, the remains of the Báb were moved from Acre to Haifa and interred in the shrine built on Mount Carmel, making Haifa important to the Bahá'í Faith.

1912: Construction of the Technion began

In 1912, construction began on the Technion Institute of Technology, a Jewish technical school.

1912: Technion Founded

In 1912, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, was founded as the first higher education institution where the language of teaching is Hebrew.

1913: Hebrew Reali School Founded

In 1913, the Hebrew Reali School was founded, becoming the largest K-12 school in Israel.

September 1918: Capture of Haifa by British Forces

In September 1918, Haifa was captured from the Ottomans by Indian horsemen of the British Army. On September 22, British troops received a report that Turks were leaving Haifa and subsequently came under fire in the Balad al-Sheikh district before an elite unit of Indian horsemen attacked Turkish positions.

1918: Baháʼí Faith Center

In 1918, the Baháʼí Faith establishes its administrative and spiritual centre in the environs of Haifa.

1920: Arab control of the city council

Under Mayor al-Haj, between 1920 and 1927, the city council had six Arab and two Jewish representatives, with the city run as a mixed municipality with overall Arab control.

November 1921: Burial of 'Abdu'l-Bahá

In November 1921, the remains of 'Abdu'l-Bahá were buried in a separate room near the Shrine of the Báb.

1922: 1922 Census of Palestine

The 1922 census of Palestine recorded Haifa's population as 24,634, including Muslims, Christians, Jews, Baháʼí, and Druze.

1924: Technion Studies Began

Studies at the Technion Institute of Technology began in 1924.

1925: Inauguration of Haifa Electrical Power Station

In 1925, the Palestine Electric Company inaugurated the Haifa Electrical Power Station, facilitating industrialization.

1927: Arab control of the city council

Under Mayor al-Haj, between 1920 and 1927, the city council had six Arab and two Jewish representatives, with the city run as a mixed municipality with overall Arab control.

1931: 1931 Census of Palestine

By the 1931 census of Palestine, Haifa's population had increased to 50,403, with increases in the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian populations.

1933: Bosmat High School Established

In 1933, Bosmat, the first technological high school in Israel, was established in Haifa and affiliated with the Technion.

1938: Population in 1938

In 1938, the population of Haifa was 99,000, including 48,000 Jews.

1940: First Jewish mayor elected

In 1940, Shabtai Levy was elected as the first Jewish mayor of Haifa.

1945: Haifa Population in 1945

By 1945, Haifa's population was 138,300, including Jews, Muslims, Christians, and others.

November 1947: UN Partition Plan and Arab Protests

In late November 1947, the UN Partition Plan designated Haifa as part of the proposed Jewish state, leading to Arab protests and violence. The local Arab national committee attempted to stabilize the situation and prevent residents from fleeing.

December 1947: Irgun bombing and Haifa Oil Refinery massacre

On 30 December 1947, Irgun members bombed a crowd of Arabs at the Consolidated Refineries in Haifa, resulting in casualties. Arab employees then killed Jewish employees in the Haifa Oil Refinery massacre, followed by the Haganah's retaliation in the Balad al-Shaykh massacre.

1947: Population Distribution in 1947

In 1947, approximately 70,910 Arabs and 74,230 Jews resided in Haifa.

April 1948: British forces redeployment

On 21 April 1948, British forces redeployed in Haifa, withdrawing from most of the city while maintaining control over the port facilities. The Jewish mayor urged Arab residents to stay, while others ordered them to leave.

April 1948: Jewish forces assault

On 21 April 1948, downtown Haifa was assaulted by Jewish forces in Operation Bi'ur Hametz. On 22 April 1948, there was an attack on a Palestinian crowd in the old marketplace.

May 1948: Haifa as Gateway for Jewish Immigration

After the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel on 14 May 1948, Haifa became the gateway for Jewish immigration into Israel.

October 1948: Arab Population Displacement

By 2 October 1948, only 5,000–6,000 of Haifa's original 62,000 Arabs remained due to displacement following Operation Bi'ur Hametz.

1948: Pre-1948 Haifa Municipality

Before 1948, Haifa's Municipality fostered cooperation between Arab and Jewish communities, with representatives from both groups involved in city management.

1948: Battle of Haifa and establishment of Israel

During and after the Battle of Haifa in the 1948 Palestine war, the city's Arab population fled or were expelled, and the Old City was demolished. In 1948, Haifa became part of the newly established state of Israel.

1950: Establishment of the New Haifa Symphony Orchestra

In 1950, the New Haifa Symphony Orchestra was established.

1950: Last snowfall in Haifa

Snow last fell in Haifa in 1950, an uncommon event.

1953: Creation of Master Plan for Transportation and Architecture

In 1953, a master plan was created for transportation and the future architectural layout of Haifa.

1959: Wadi Salib Riots

In 1959, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews rioted in Wadi Salib, claiming discrimination by the state.

1963: University of Haifa Founded

In 1963, the University of Haifa was founded atop Mt. Carmel, becoming a prominent institution with a campus designed by Oscar Niemeyer.

1975: Founding of the Haifa Cinematheque

The Haifa Cinematheque was founded in 1975.

1994: Population decline begins

From 1994, Haifa experienced a declining and aging population as young people moved to the country's center for education and jobs.

1995: Last Haifa Rock & Blues Festival

The last Haifa Rock & Blues Festival was held in 1995, featuring Sheryl Crow, Suede, and Faith No More.

1996: World Windsurfing Championship

In 1996, the city of Haifa hosted the World Windsurfing Championship.

1999: Palestinian suicide attacks in Haifa

From 1999 to 2003, several Palestinian suicide attacks took place in Haifa, killing 68 civilians.

2000: Settlement of former South Lebanon Army soldiers

Following Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, some former South Lebanon Army soldiers and officers who fled from Lebanon settled in Haifa with their families.

2002: Residential Construction

Between 2002 and 2004, residential construction concentrated around Kiryat Haim and Kiryat Shmuel, the Carmel, and Ramot Neve Sha'anan.

2003: Palestinian suicide attacks in Haifa

From 1999 to 2003, several Palestinian suicide attacks took place in Haifa, killing 68 civilians.

2003: Election of the 12th city council

The 12th city council of Haifa was elected in 2003, with 31 members.

2004: Attendance at Haifa Symphony Orchestra concerts

In 2004, 49,000 people attended concerts of the New Haifa Symphony Orchestra.

2004: Private Construction

In 2004, 80% of construction in Haifa was private.

2004: Haifa Municipal Libraries

In 2004, Haifa had 16 municipal libraries containing 367,323 books.

2004: Hospital data

In 2004, Haifa medical facilities had a total of 4,000 hospital beds, with Rambam Hospital having 78,000 admissions.

2004: Visitors to the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space

In 2004, the Israel National Museum of Science, Technology, and Space recorded almost 150,000 visitors, making it the most popular museum in Haifa.

2005: Football League Merger

In 2005, Haifa Underdogs won one title as part of American Football Israel, which merged with the Israeli Football League.

2005: Hotel data

In 2005, Haifa had 13 hotels with a total of 1,462 rooms.

2006: Haifa School Statistics

As of 2006-07, Haifa had a significant number of educational institutions, with a distribution across elementary, middle, and high schools, catering to a diverse student population in Hebrew and Arab schools.

2006: Baháʼí World Centre visitors

Between 2005 and 2006, the Baháʼí World Centre in Haifa received 86,037 visitors.

2006: Rambam Medical Center during the Second Lebanon War

During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, Rambam Medical Center was in the direct line of fire and took precautions to protect patients, moving wings to underground shelters.

2006: Religious demographics in Haifa

In 2006, 2.9% of Jews in Haifa were Haredi, compared to 7.5% nationally, while 66.6% were secular compared to the national average of 43.7%.

2006: Mini-bus Trial Network Implemented

In 2006, Haifa implemented a trial network of neighborhood mini-buses named "Shkhunatit", run by Egged.

2006: Hezbollah rocket attacks

In 2006, Haifa was hit by 93 Hezbollah rockets during the Second Lebanon War, killing 11 civilians and causing half of the city's population to flee.

2006: Population demographics

In 2006, Israeli Jews comprised approximately 82% of Haifa's population, with almost 14% Christians and about 4% Muslims. Demographics indicated a younger Arab population compared to the Jewish and other population groups.

2006: Kadima party receives most votes in Haifa

In the 2006 legislative elections, the Kadima party received about 28.9% of the votes in Haifa.

2007: Bosmat High School Re-established

Due to financial difficulties, the Bosmat technological high school was closed, but later in 2007, it was re-established as part of the Mofet network.

2007: Report calling for infrastructure development

In 2007, a report commissioned by the Haifa Municipality called for the construction of more hotels, a ferry line, and expansion of the local airport and port.

2008: Baháʼí gardens designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2008, the Baháʼí gardens in Haifa were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2008: Night Buses Operated by Egged

Since the summer of 2008, night buses are operated by Egged in Haifa (line 200) and the Krayot suburbs (line 210).

2009: Positive net immigration shown

In 2009, Haifa showed a positive net immigration for the first time in 15 years, reversing its population decline due to new projects and improved infrastructure.

December 2010: Carmel Tunnels Opened

On December 1, 2010, the Carmel Tunnels opened for traffic, routing it under Mount Carmel and reducing congestion in downtown Haifa.

2010: Haifa identified as city with most promising business potential

In 2010, Monocle magazine identified Haifa as the city with the most promising business potential and investment opportunities in the world, citing regeneration efforts and infrastructure improvements.

July 2012: Construction ban on Mount Carmel

In July 2012, the Haifa municipality banned the construction of any new buildings taller than nine stories on Mount Carmel.

December 2012: GetTaxi Begins Operating

In December 2012, GetTaxi, an app and taxi service which allows users to hail a cab using their smartphone, began operating in Haifa with 50 taxis in its initial phase.

2012: New development plan announced for Haifa's waterfront

In 2012, a new development plan was announced for Haifa's waterfront, including demolishing the western section of the port, moving port activity east, transforming the west side into a tourism and nightlife center, burying train tracks, developing a park on the Kishon River border, converting refinery cooling towers into a visitors' center, and dismantling the ammonia depository tank.

August 2013: Metronit System Officially Opened

On August 16, 2013, the new Phileas concept bus rapid transit system called the Metronit officially opened, serving three lines with 100 18-meter buses.

2013: 24/7 Public Transportation

Since 2013, along with route 1 of the Metronit, night buses operated 7 nights a week, making Haifa as the only city in Israel with 24/7 public transportation.

2014: Sammy Ofer Stadium Completed

In 2014, Sammy Ofer Stadium, a UEFA-approved 30,950-seat stadium, was completed.

2014: New plan proposed to increase city population

In 2014, a new major plan was proposed for Haifa, involving extensive development of residential, business, and leisure areas, with the goal of increasing the city's population by 60,000 by 2025.

2014: Technology-focused stock exchange announcement

In 2014, it was announced that a technology-focused stock exchange would be established in Haifa, and plans were underway for approximately 40 hotels, aiming to transform the city into Northern Israel's tourist center.

2016: Haifa's Status as a Major Seaport

As of 2016, Haifa is a major seaport on Israel's Mediterranean coastline and a major regional center of northern Israel. It houses academic institutions like the University of Haifa and the Technion, and plays an important role in Israel's economy with high-tech parks like Matam and the Carmelit underground rapid transit system.

2016: Development plan approved to raise Haifa's population

In 2016, a development plan was approved aiming to raise Haifa's population to 330,000 residents by 2025, including a new downtown business district and creation of a park.

2016: Kiryat Eliezer Stadium Demolished

In 2016, the 14,002-seat Kiryat Eliezer Stadium was demolished.

2019: Decision to stop shooting boars

In 2019, Mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem decided to stop shooting boars in Haifa, which had begun roaming the city's streets from the valleys around the city before 2019.

April 2022: Rakavlit Cable Car Opened

In April 2022, Rakavlit, a 4.4-kilometre commuter cable car service, opened, running from HaMifratz Central Bus Station to the Technion and the University of Haifa.

2023: Haifa's Population

In 2023, Haifa is the third-largest city in Israel, with a population of 298,312.

September 2024: airHaifa Planned Launch

airHaifa is planning to launch operations during September 2024, starting with flights on the Haifa-Eilat route and later expanding to Cyprus, Greece, and Turkey.