Hermesh
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 2021 it had a population of 235.
Hermesh
חֶרְמֵשׁ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Etymology: Scythe | |
  Hermesh  Hermesh  Hermesh | |
| Coordinates: 32°25′24″N 35°7′9″E | |
| District | Judea and Samaria Area |
| Council | Shomron |
| Region | West Bank |
| Affiliation | Mishkei Herut Beitar |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founded by | Mishkei Herut Beitar |
| Population (2021)[1] | 235 |
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be illegal, but the Israeli government disputes this.[2]
History
Hermesh 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, a resident of Hermesh, 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, a 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.
References
- "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- "The Geneva Convention". BBC News. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
- Settlers in Hermesh, home of attack victim, make no ideological claims, Haaretz
- Victims of Palestinian Violence and Terrorism since September 2000 Archived 2007-04-03 at the Wayback Machine