Tel Aviv    First all-Jewish city in modern times. Originally named Ahuzat Bayit. Founded by 60 families in 1909 as a Jewish neighborhood near Jaffa. In 1910, the name was changed to Tel Aviv, meaning "hill of spring." Taken from Ezekiel 3:15, . Most Jews were expelled from Jaffa and Tel Aviv by the Turks during World War I, but returned after the war when Britain received the mandate for Palestine. As Jews were stimulated to leave predominantly Arab Jaffa by unrest in the 1920's. Arab forces in Jaffa shelled Tel Aviv in 1948 prior to the beginning of the actual war. Jewish forces responded by capturing the city two days before declaring independence. The declaration was made in the home of the city's mayor Meir Dizengoff. Because Jerusalem was occupied by Jordan after Israel became an independent state in 1948 Temporary capital and home of the government offices was in Tel Aviv. Several government offices remain there and Tel Aviv is still home to foreign diplomats from countries. Today, Tel Aviv is Israel's second largest city after Jerusalem. RETURN