Jifna (Paperback)

High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Jifna is a Palestinian village in the Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate in the central West Bank, located 8 kilometers (5 mi) north of Ramallah and 23 kilometers (14 mi) north of Jerusalem. A village of about 1,400 people, Jifna has retained a Christian majority since the 6th century CE. Its total land area consists of 6,015 dunams, of which 420 are designated as built-up areas, most of the remainder being covered with olive, fig and apricot groves. Jifna is governed by a village council, led (2008) by chairman Jabi Na'im Kamil. Jifna was known as Gophnah at the time of the First Jewish-Roman War, and after its conquest became a Roman regional capital. Later the town grew less significant politically, but nevertheless prospered under Byzantine and Arab rule due to its location on a trade route. St. George's Church in Jifna was built in the 6th century CE, but fell into disrepair and was not rebuilt until the arrival of the Crusaders in the late 10th century. However, it again fell into ruin after the Crusaders were driven out by the Ayyubids. In modern times, the ruins of St. George's Church have become a tourist attraction.