Can you imagine a river flowing through the heart of Israel? That’s the Ayalon River also known as Nahal Ayalon. It is a perennial stream.
The Nahal Ayalon begins its journey in the Judean Hills northwest of Jerusalem. It flows down through the Ayalon Valley. The Nahal Ayalon passes near Ben Gurion Airport. It then flows through an artificial concrete channel. This channel runs along the Ayalon Freeway near Tel Aviv. Finally, it meets the Yarkon River in Tel Aviv. The total length of the Nahal Ayalon is about 50 kilometers. It drains an area of 815 square kilometers.
The Ayalon River has another name. In Arabic it is called Wadi Musrara. The Ayalon River flows through the Ariel Sharon Park. This park is a rehabilitation project on the former Hiriya waste dump.
The Ayalon Valley is also historically significant. It has served as an important route connecting the coastal plain and Jerusalem for generations. Because of its location battles were fought in the area. The Bible mentions the valley taking its name from Ayalon. This was a city that the Tribe of Dan possessed.
The Ayalon Valley is home to several kibbutzim and moshavim today. These include Sha’alvim Mishmar Ayalon and Kfar Bin Nun. The valley is also home to Canada Park. You can visit the Yad La-Shiryon museum here. Mini Israel the Latrun Monastery and Emmaus Nicopolis are all nearby.
The Ayalon River is more than just a waterway. It is a symbol of resilience and transformation. The Ayalon River continues to flow onward.