History of Haifa in Timeline

Haifa is Israel's third-largest city, with a population of 290,306 in 2022, 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 pilgrimage destination for the Baháʼí Faith.

1900: Jewish Population Growth

In 1900, the Jewish population in Haifa rose to 1,500, primarily due to continued immigration, on the eve of World War I.

1903: Construction of Jezreel Valley Railway

Between 1903 and 1905, the Jezreel Valley railway was built as a branch of the Hejaz Railway, increasing trade and attracting workers to Haifa.

1905: Construction of Jezreel Valley Railway

Between 1903 and 1905, the Jezreel Valley railway was built as a branch of the Hejaz Railway, increasing trade and attracting workers to Haifa.

1909: Báb's Remains Moved to Haifa

In 1909, Haifa became important to the Baháʼí Faith when the remains of the Báb were moved from Acre to Haifa and interred in the shrine built on Mount Carmel.

1912: Technion Construction Begins

In 1912, construction began on the Technion Institute of Technology, a Jewish technical school, although studies did not begin until 1924.

1912: Technion Founded

In 1912, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology was founded, becoming 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.

September 1918: Capture of Haifa by British Army

In September 1918, Haifa was captured from the Ottomans by Indian horsemen of the British Army who overran Ottoman positions.

1918: End of Ottoman Rule

After al-Umar's death in 1775, the town remained under Ottoman rule until 1918, with the exception of two brief periods. In September 1918, Haifa was captured from the Ottomans by Indian horsemen of the British Army.

1920: Arab Representation in Haifa's City Council under Mayor al-Haj

Between 1920 and 1927, under Mayor al-Haj, Haifa's city council had six Arab and two Jewish representatives, with overall Arab control.

November 1921: Burial of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá

In November 1921, the remains of ʻAbdu'l-Bahá were buried in a separate room in the shrine on Mount Carmel.

1922: 1922 Census of Palestine

The 1922 census of Palestine, recorded Haifa's population as 24,634 (9,377 Muslims, 8,863 Christians, 6,230 Jews, 152 Baha'i, and 12 Druze).

1924: Technion Studies Begin

In 1912, construction began on the Technion Institute of Technology, a Jewish technical school, and studies began in 1924.

1925: Haifa Electrical Power Station Inaugurated

In 1925, The Palestine Electric Company inaugurated the Haifa Electrical Power Station opening the door to considerable industrialization of the city.

1927: Arab Representation in Haifa's City Council under Mayor al-Haj

Between 1920 and 1927, under Mayor al-Haj, Haifa's city council had six Arab and two Jewish representatives, with overall Arab control.

1931: 1931 Census of Palestine

By the time of the 1931 census of Palestine, Haifa's population had increased to 50,403 (20,324 Muslims, 15,923 Jews, 13,824 Christians, 196 Baha'i, 126 Druze, and 10 with no religion).

1933: Bosmat Established

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

1938: Haifa Population in 1938

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

1940: Election of First Jewish Mayor

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

1945: Haifa Population in 1945

By 1945, the population of Haifa was 138,300 (75,500 Jews, 35,940 Muslims, 26,570 Christians, and 290 "other").

November 1947: UN Partition Plan Designates Haifa

In late November 1947, the UN Partition Plan designated Haifa as part of the proposed Jewish state, leading to Arab protests and violence.

December 1947: Violence at Consolidated Refineries

On 30 December 1947, Irgun members threw bombs into a crowd of Arabs outside the Consolidated Refineries in Haifa, resulting in casualties and subsequent retaliation by Arab employees and the Haganah militia.

1947: Haifa Population in 1947

In 1947, about 70,910 Arabs (41,000 Muslims and 29,910 Christians) and 74,230 Jews were living in Haifa.

April 1948: British Forces Redeploy

On 21 April 1948, British forces in Haifa redeployed, withdrawing from most of the city while maintaining control over the port facilities.

April 1948: Assault by Jewish Forces

On 21 and 22 April 1948, Jewish forces assaulted Arab neighborhoods in Operation Bi'ur Hametz, leading to a displacement of Haifa's Arab population.

May 1948: Haifa Becomes 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 Decline

By 2 October 1948, only 5,000–6,000 of Haifa's original 62,000 Arabs remained in the city due to displacement during the 1948 Palestinian expulsion and flight.

1948: Arab and Jewish Cooperation in Haifa's Municipality before 1948

Before 1948, Haifa's Municipality was known for its cooperation between the Arab and Jewish communities, with representatives from both groups involved in the city's management.

1948: Haifa Becomes Part of Israel

During the Battle of Haifa in the 1948 Palestine war, most of the city's Arab population fled or were expelled. In 1948, the city 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: Rare Snowfall in Haifa

The last time snow fell in Haifa was in 1950.

1953: Master Plan Created

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

1959: Wadi Salib Riots

In 1959, a group of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews rioted in Wadi Salib, claiming state discrimination and demanding "bread and work".

1963: University of Haifa Founded

In 1963, the University of Haifa was founded on top of Mt. Carmel.

1975: Founding of the Haifa Cinematheque

In 1975, the Haifa Cinematheque was founded, and it hosts the annual Haifa International Film Festival.

1994: Population Decline

Between 1994 and 2009, Haifa experienced a declining and aging population as young people moved to the center of the country for education and jobs.

1995: Last Haifa Rock & Blues Festival

The last Haifa Rock & Blues Festival took place in 1995 with Sheryl Crow, Suede, and Faith No More as headliners.

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1996: World Windsurfing Championship

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

1999: Palestinian Suicide Attacks

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

2000: Settlement of South Lebanon Army soldiers

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

2002: Residential construction around Kiryat Haim and Kiryat Shmuel

Between 2002 and 2004, 75,000 square meters of new residential construction occurred around Kiryat Haim and Kiryat Shmuel.

2003: Palestinian Suicide Attacks

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 and consisted of 31 members, with the Shinui-Greens ticket holding the most seats (6) and Likud coming second with 5.

2004: Residential construction around Kiryat Haim and Kiryat Shmuel

Between 2002 and 2004, 75,000 square meters of new residential construction occurred around Kiryat Haim and Kiryat Shmuel. In 2004, 80% of construction in the city was private.

2004: Attendance at Haifa Symphony Orchestra Concerts

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

2004: Haifa Municipal Libraries

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

2004: Hospital Admissions in Haifa

In 2004, Haifa's medical facilities had a total of 4,000 hospital beds and 177,478 hospital 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.

2005: Tourism Statistics in Haifa

In 2005, Haifa had 13 hotels with 1,462 rooms and a 17 km shoreline with 5 km of beaches.

2005: Haifa Underdogs Won Title

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

2006: Haifa School Statistics

As of 2006, Haifa had 70 elementary schools, 23 middle schools, 28 academic high schools and 8 vocational high schools.

2006: Baháʼí Shrine Visitors

Between 2005 and 2006, the Baháʼí World Centre's shrine was visited by 86,037 people.

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 had to take special precautions to protect its patients, including moving wings to underground shelters.

2006: Shkhunatit Trial Network

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

2006: Hezbollah Rocket Attacks

In 2006, Haifa was hit by 93 Hezbollah rockets during the Second Lebanon War, resulting in casualties and population displacement.

2006: Demographics of Haifa

In 2006, Haifa's population consisted of approximately 82% Israeli Jews, almost 14% Christians (mostly Arab Christians), and about 4% Muslims. Demographic trends in 2006 showed a younger Arab population compared to the Jewish and other groups in the city.

2006: Legislative Elections Results

In the 2006 legislative elections, the Kadima party received approximately 28.9% of the votes in Haifa, while Labor received 16.9%.

2007: Haifa Tourism Development Report

A 2007 report commissioned by the Haifa Municipality proposed the construction of more hotels, a ferry line to Acre and Caesarea, the development of the western anchorage, and an expansion of the local airport and port.

2007: Bosmat Closed

In 2007, Bosmat was closed due to financial difficulties, before later being re-established as part of the Mofet network.

2008: Baháʼí Gardens Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site

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

2008: Night Buses Operated

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

In 2009, Haifa showed positive net immigration for the first time in 15 years, reversing its population decline.

December 2010: Carmel Tunnels Opened

The Carmel Tunnels opened for traffic on December 1, 2010, routing traffic under Mount Carmel and reducing congestion in the downtown area.

2010: Monocle Ranks Haifa with Promising Business Potential

In 2010, Monocle magazine identified Haifa as the city with the most promising business potential, noting significant regeneration efforts and investment opportunities.

July 2012: Building Height Restriction on Mount Carmel

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

December 2012: GetTaxi Launch

In December 2012, GetTaxi, an app and taxi service, began operating in Haifa with 50 taxis.

2012: Waterfront Development Plan Announced

In 2012, a major development plan was announced for Haifa's waterfront, including the transformation of the western port section into a tourism and nightlife center, the burying of train tracks, the creation of a park, and the dismantling of the ammonia depository tank in Haifa Bay.

August 2013: Metronit System Opened

On August 16, 2013, the Metronit bus rapid transit system officially opened, serving three lines.

2013: 24/7 Public Transportation

Since 2013, Haifa became the only city in Israel with 24/7 public transportation, along with route 1 of the Metronit.

2014: New City Plan Proposed

In 2014, a new major plan was proposed for Haifa, aiming to increase the city's population by 60,000 by 2025 through extensive development of residential, business, and leisure areas.

2014: Plans for a Technology-Focused Stock Exchange Announced

In 2014, it was announced that a technology-focused stock exchange would be established in Haifa to compete with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Additionally, plans were underway for approximately 40 hotels, mostly boutique hotels.

2014: Sammy Ofer Stadium Completed

In 2014, the UEFA-approved 30,942-seat Sammy Ofer Stadium was completed, replacing the Kiryat Eliezer Stadium.

2016: Development Plan Approved

A development plan approved in 2016 seeks to raise Haifa's population to 330,000 residents by 2025.

2016: Haifa as a Major Seaport

As of 2016, Haifa is a major seaport on Israel's Mediterranean coastline. The city is a major regional center of northern Israel. Two academic institutions, the University of Haifa and the Technion are located in Haifa. Matam, one of the oldest and largest high-tech parks in the country is also located in Haifa.

2016: Kiryat Eliezer Stadium Demolished

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

2019: Boar Management Policy Change

In 2019, Haifa's mayor, Einat Kalisch-Rotem, made the decision to stop shooting the boars that had been roaming the city's streets since before 2019.

April 2022: Rakavlit Opened

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

2022: Haifa Population

In 2022, Haifa's population was 290,306, making it the third-largest city in Israel after Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

September 2024: airHaifa 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.

2025: Development Plan Goal

A development plan approved in 2016 seeks to raise Haifa's population to 330,000 residents by 2025.

2025: Population Growth Target

In 2014, a new major plan was proposed for Haifa, aiming to increase the city's population by 60,000 by 2025 through extensive development of residential, business, and leisure areas.