TOWN EMBLEMS 1
This series of stamps shows the emblems of various towns in Israel. They are as follows:
LOD (LYDDA)
This city on the coastal plain of Israel was primarily inhabited by Arabs until 1948, when many Jews settled there. It later became a popular town for immigrants.
KIRYAT SHEMONAH
Kiryat Shemonah, in the Hulah valley, was settled by Jews after 1948, when its Arab inhabitants abandoned it during Israel’s War of Independence.
PETAH TIKVAH
Petah Tikvah in the central region of Israel, also known as the "Mother of the Colonies", was founded in 1878 by Jews from the old Yishuv (Jewish community) of Jerusalem. It became a municipality in 1937. The town’s emblem depicts the citrus groves and agriculture that played a central role in the economy of its early years. See also Petah Tikvah Centenary.
NAZARETH
This is the largest Arab city in Israel, located in Lower Galilee. It is the home of various historic Christian sites, attracting many pilgrims. A newer Jewish settlement was settled above Nazareth, called Nazerat Illit (Upper Nazareth). See also Nazareth and Landscapes of Israel, Nazerat Illit.
BEERSHEBA
When the Arab population of this town abandoned it in 1948, it was settled by Jews and developed into the focus of the Negev region of southern Israel. It has been a prime location for the settlement of immigrants to Israel since 1949. See also Beersheba 82 - Souvenir Sheet.
BETH-SHEAN
This town is the center of the Beth-Shean valley. It was settled by many immigrant Jews when its Arab inhabitants left in 1948. A prime characteristic of the region is its archaeological excavations.
TIBERIAS
Tiberias has developed into a tourist and commercial center since 1948. Its location on the Sea of Galilee enhances its beauty and attracts many visitors and tourists throughout the year. The town’s emblem also depicts the Sea of Galilee, emphasizing its importance in the character of Tiberias. See also Air Mail 1960.
ASHDOD
Founded in 1956, Ashdod has become a main port and industrial town. Its emblem includes an anchor, giving emphasis to the importance of Ashdod’s port to its development.
EILAT
The emblem of the town of Eilat features an anchor and a fortress. These two elements underscore two of the town’s main characteristics: the Red Sea port of Eilat serves well for commerce and trade to the region, while the old fortress on Eilat’s Coral Island reminds its visitors and many tourists of the rich history of the area. Modern Eilat was founded in 1949.
See also Air Mail 1960 and Landscapes of Israel, Coral Island.
AKKO
North of the bay of Haifa, Akko is a port town. Most of the Arabs of the town left it in 1948 and it then became inhabited mostly by Jews. Being a prime characteristic of the town, the port is also depicted on Akko’s town emblem.
For information on Akko’s port and city see Ancient Ports; Akko and Landscapes of Israel; Akko.
DIMONAH
This town is located in the Negev region of Israel. It was founded in 1955 and is known for its industries.
ZEFAT (SAFED)
Zefat is situated in Upper Galilee and has become a center for art and tourism. In its past Zefat was also a rabbinical and kabbalistic center. For more on Zefat see Air Mail 1960 and Landscapes of Israel; Zefat.
MIZPEH RIMON
Located in the southern Negev, north of Eilat, Mizpeh Rimon is a beautiful oasis where one can find the serenity of the desert all around and the fascinating wildlife of the region close by.
RISHON LE-ZION
The grapes on the town emblem of Rishon le-Zion relate to the vineyards that were grown at the outset of its settlement in 1882. These formed the initial economy of the settlement. The well built for the village under the auspices of Baron Edmund de Rothschild is also featured on the emblem. Rishon le-Zion is still well known for its Carmel wines. For more on Rishon le-Zion see Towns Centenary - Rosh Pinnah, Rishon le-Zion.
ASHKELON
Ashkelon is situated on the Mediterranean Sea and the modern town was developed after 1948. It has become a tourist resort and is known for its excavations revealing many Herodian and Crusader remains. Especially grand are the pillars of Herod’s palace. For more on Ashkelon see Air Mail 1960.
ROSH PINNAH
Rosh Pinnah was founded in 1882 in Upper Galilee by pioneers willing to toil long and hard to cultivate the very barren soil that was found there. The laboring pioneers are depicted on the emblem of the now well established and growing town. For more details on Rosh Pinnah see Rosh Pinnah, Towns Centenary - Rosh Pinnah, Rishon le-Zion, and Landscapes of Israel; Rosh Pinnah.
JERUSALEM
As Jerusalem is located in the biblical land of Judah, which was symbolized by a lion figure, this motif was chosen to feature in the city’s emblem. Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel and is a center of religion, education, culture, and business in the country. For more on Jerusalem see Air Mail 1960.
TEL AVIV-YAFO
In 1949 the separate cities of Tel Aviv and Yafo were combined into one municipality as Tel Aviv-Yafo. It has grown to become second to Jerusalem as a center of the country for business, education, and culture. For more on Tel Aviv-Yafo see Meir Dizengoff, Tel Aviv - 40th Anniversary, and Tel Aviv Jubilee.
HAIFA
Modern Haifa began its development at the end of the nineteenth century. The new Jewish Hadar ha-Carmel neighborhood was founded in the early twentieth century and the city grew to become the third largest city in Israel, alongside Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-Yafo. As a main port city, Haifa gained importance in trade and industry. Parallel to that, it has also became a focus of great religious, educational, and cultural development. For more on Haifa see Landscapes of Israel; Haifa and Haifa 80.