Yokneam Illit
Yokneam (Hebrew: יקנעם) (also transliterated Yoqneʻam) is a town in a scenic hilly region of the lower Galilee in northern Israel that has developed a reputation for itself as a technology center. The Yokneam Illit region is bordered by Highway 70.
Location
Yokneam is at the base of the Carmel Mountains and overlooks the Jezreel Valley. Yokneam is 13 miles from Haifa and 50 miles from Tel Aviv.
History
The town of Yokneam was built in the 1950s on the site of the ruins of ancient Yokneam, which was destroyed two thousand years ago.
The new settlers, many of whom were diaspora Jews from North Africa, restored ancient olive orchards on the Carmel Mountains and planted new olive trees in th
Business center
The region of Yokneam Illit has the status of "National Priority Area A" as specified by the Israeli Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investment, which enables "Approved Enterprises" locating in Yokneam Illit to enjoy the highest level of tax benefits or investment grants afforded by the Law.
In addition, companies choosing to locate in the region can apply for concessions in local taxes over a three year period from the Yokneam Local Authority.
Over one hundred industrial companies have established offices in the region, among them:
- Given Imaging
- Mind CTI
- MRV Communications
- Rakuto Kasei
- Syneron
- Lumenis
- Tadin-Tal Advanced Instruments Ltd.
- Witcom
- EZchip Technologies
- Mellanox Technologies ltd.
- Medibell Vision Technologies, Ltd.
- CMT Medical Technologies, Ltd.
Security threats
Yokneam has suffered from security threats related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In December, 2003, the Israel Defense Forces thwarted a planned suicide attack by two Palestinian terrorists that had planned to attack the ORT Alon Junior High School in Yokneam.
Sister cities
External links
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