Jenin was known in ancient times as the Canaanite village of "Ein Ganim" or "Tel Jenin". Tell Jenin, its name in Arabic, is located at the center of what is today Jeninzzz*zs business district.
In the time of Saladin al-Ayoubi, approximately 1187 AD, his army took over Jenin. It was also important during the 13th century because the Mamluks, who feared Crusader invasions, destroyed coastal Palestinian towns and fortified several inland cities, including Jenin.
During the World War II, the Germans built an airport runway in Jenin to help the Turks.
The fifth holiest Christian place and the third oldest church in the world is located in the village of Burqin, 3 kms west of Jenin. The Burqin church is also known as St. Georgezzz*zs church.
During the second Palestinian intifada, Jenin became known as a stronghold of armed resistance. According to the United Nations, 54 Palestinians and 13 Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting centered around the Jenin refugee camp between April 3-10, 2002. An additional 49 Palestinians were reported missing. Some 400 Palestinian families were made homeless as Israeli forces razed six acres of the camp. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency is currently rebuilding the camp.
However, since 2008, the city has been cited as an example of what the Palestinian Authority can do when it is allowed by Israel to deploy its security forces.
The Jenin trade fair took place on November 27, 2009, hosting Quartet envoy Tony Blair, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and the Danish representative Rolf Holmboe. The fair trade was also attended by Israeli merchants.
According to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Jeninzzz*zs “economic problems are enormous and the social situation is particularly difficult as economic growth (0.8% in 2008) and population increase (2.6%) do not correspond.” With only 45 percent of the population "economically active" in 2008, Jeninzzz*zs economy demands access to the Israeli and international markets, freer movement and lower trade barriers and taxation.