Bearing the name ‘House of Izza’, what stories does Beit Ijza hold within its boundaries? This village, nestled in the Jerusalem Governorate, carries centuries of history. Let me share some of its fascinating past with you.
Beit Ijza sits about 11 kilometers northwest of Jerusalem. Its location places it near other significant towns. Al Jib borders it to the east and north. Beit Duqqu lies to the west. Biddu is to the south.
The earliest mention of Beit Ijza dates back to 1538-9. It appeared as a mazra’a, which means farm. By 1596, tax registers listed it under the name Bayt Iza. At that time, six households resided here. All were Muslims. They paid taxes on various agricultural products. These included wheat, barley, olives, and fruits. They also paid for goats and beehives.
In 1738, Richard Pococke saw Beit Ijza and called it Beteser. He noted its position on a hill. In 1838, it was described as a Muslim village in the Beni Malik area. The Survey of Western Palestine in 1883 described Beit Izza as a moderate-sized village on a hill. A spring was located to the west.
During the British Mandate era, the 1922 census recorded 59 Muslims in “Bait Izza”. By 1931, the population decreased slightly to 54 Muslims in 14 houses. Statistics from 1945 showed 70 Muslims residing in Beit Ijza. The village had a total of 2,550 dunams of land. Arabs used some of this land for plantations and cereals.
After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Beit Ijza fell under Jordanian rule. A 1961 Jordanian census counted 129 inhabitants.
Since the Six-Day War in 1967, Beit Ijza has been under Israeli occupation. The 1995 Oslo II Accord divided the village into areas B and C. Most of the village area remains under full Israeli control. Israel has confiscated land for settlements. The separation wall cuts through Beit Ijza land. This has created hardships for Palestinian landowners. Some families live surrounded by walls due to land expropriations.
In January 2024, the APN planted 200 trees in Beit Ijza. This was part of the Million Tree Campaign. This initiative aims to safeguard Palestinian lands from confiscation.
Interestingly, Tawfiq Canaan found a Maqam, a shrine, for en-nabi Yusif. It stood on a spot dominating Beit Ijza. The villagers of Beit Ijza actively resisted the threat of settlers in the early 20th century. They were involved in the Buraq Uprising in 1929.
Beit Ijza stands as a testament to resilience. Its people have faced many challenges throughout history. From a small farm to a village affected by conflict, it remains a place with a rich and complex story. Today, Beit Ijza continues to evolve. It carries the weight of its past while looking towards the future. The village retains its unique character. It is a story etched into the very stones beneath our feet.