Ashdod is a port city located in the south western area of Israel. Though the area known as Ashdod was only declared a city in 1968, its history is rich and long. At the beginning of the 12th century BCE the Philistines took over Ashdod, and during the years the city prospered and apparently became their capital.
During the 10th century BCE it became, along with all the kingdom of Philistia a patronage area of the Kingdom of Israel under the control of King David.

The modern city of Ashdod was founded in 1956. On May 1, 1956, then finance minister Levi Eshkol approved the establishment of the city of Ashdod.

The first to settle the modern city of Ashdod were Jewish families that had immigrated from Morocco. Many Hassidic Rebbes reside in Ashdod, including the Tolna Rebbe, Pittsburgher Rebbe, Neshchiz, and Melitzer Rebbes.

Large-scale growth of the city began in 1991, with the massive arrival of immigrants from the Soviet Union and Ethiopia, as well as large scale infrastructure development. From 1990 to 2001 the city accepted more than 100,000 new inhabitants, a 150% growth. Today, Ashdod is home to approximately 210,000 people.

Ashdod was one of six cities that won the 2012 Education Prize awarded by the Israel Ministry of Education.

The building of the Port of Ashdod began in 1961 and was completed approximately two years later, in November 1963. The Port of Ashdod is situated about 40 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. Currently, the port handles approximately 60% of Israel’s imports.

There is a passenger pier in the Port of Ashdod. The traffic at this gateway is constantly growing, especially due to cruise ship activities. The other sea gateway is Blue Marina.

Great Ashdod Links

• Ashdod Municipality
• Ashdod Port
• Ashdod Museum
• Ashdod Museum of Art
• Beit Hativat Givati Museum (just outside Ashdod)