Hermesh (Hebrew: חֶרְמֵשׁ, lit. 'Scythe') is an Israeli settlement in the western Samarian hills of the West Bank. Founded in 1984, it is organised as a community settlement and falls under the jurisdiction of Shomron Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 245.
Hermesh
חֶרְמֵשׁ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Etymology: Scythe | |
  Hermesh  Hermesh  Hermesh | |
| Coordinates: 32°25′24″N 35°7′9″E / 32.42333°N 35.11917°E | |
| District | Judea and Samaria Area |
| Council | Shomron |
| Region | West Bank |
| Affiliation | Mishkei Herut Beitar |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founded by | Mishkei Herut Beitar |
| Population (2022)[1] | 245 |
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal, but the Israeli government disputes this.[2]
History
editHermesh was established in 1984 by the Mishkei Herut Beitar settlement organization. Most of the residents of Hermesh are secular Jews or non-Jews. More than half of the population are new immigrants, mainly from the former Soviet Union. Their motivation for living in the region is not ideology but quality of life.[3]
On 29 October 2002 three residents of Hermesh, Orna Eshel (53), Hadas Turgeman (14), and Linoy Saroussi (14) were shot dead by a Palestinian gunman who entered the village armed with a Kalashnikov.[3] A soldier and a resident were wounded in the attack. Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility.[4]
On 20 June 2005 Hermesh resident Yevgeny Reider (28) was killed in a shooting attack near Baqa ash-Sharqiyya, in the northern West Bank. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack.[4] On 30 May 2023 settler Meir Tamari (32) was killed in a shooting attack near the entrance of the settlement. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility for the attack.
Archaeology
editFrasin, an archeological site located across the road is identified with Kfar Parshai, a site mentioned in the Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, Abodah Zarah, 31a).[5] It also preserves the biblical name 'Peresh' (of the Tribe of Manasseh).
References
edit- ^ "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "The Geneva Convention". BBC News. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- ^ a b Settlers in Hermesh, home of attack victim, make no ideological claims, Haaretz
- ^ a b Victims of Palestinian Violence and Terrorism since September 2000 Archived 2007-04-03 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Avi-Yonah, Michael (1976). "Gazetteer of Roman Palestine". Qedem. 5: 72. ISSN 0333-5844.