HOLON

city, west-central Israel. It lies on the Plain of Sharon near the Mediterranean Sea, just south of Tel AvivYafo. A part of the Tel AvivYafo metropolitan area, Holon resulted from the union and incorporation of several district residential settlements, the earliest dating from 1925. During the Arab-Israeli War of 194849, Holon was attacked by Arab snipers from the hill of Tall ar-Rish, between the residential quarters and Jaffa (now Yafo) to the northwest. The Arab position did not fall until the surrender of Jaffa on May 13, 1948. Holon is a centre of the Israeli textile industry; other manufactures include metals, rubber, and plastics. It is also the home of one of two remaining Samaritan communities in Palestine. The Survey Department of Israel's College of Surveying is in the city. A College of Fashion Technology was opened in 1971. Pop. (1989 est.) 146,100.