Ma'ale Shomron | |
Founded: | 1980 |
Affiliation: | Mishkei Herut Beitar |
Region: | West Bank |
Council: | Shomron |
District: | js |
Popyear: | 2019 |
Population: | 996 |
Pushpin Map: | Israel shomron |
Pushpin Mapsize: | 250 |
Coordinates: | 32.1647°N 35.0711°W |
Ma'ale Shomron (Hebrew: מַעֲלֵה שׁוֹמְרוֹן) is an Israeli settlement in the northern West Bank. Located about 300 metres above sea level, it is organised as a community settlement and falls under the jurisdiction of Shomron Regional Council. In 2019 it had a population of 996.[1]
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.[2]
The settlement was established in February 1980 by a mixed group of Orthodox and non-religious Israelis from the Beitar and Herut movements.[3] It is closely bordered by Karnei Shomron.
According to ARIJ, Israel confiscated land from several Palestinian villages in order to construct Ma'ale Shomron, including 268 dunums of land from Azzun,[4] 69 dunams from Deir Istiya,[5] and 367 dunums of land from Kafr Thulth / Arab Al Khouleh (including land for Karnei Shomron and Emmanuel).[6]
Located within the settlement is the archaeological site of Khirbet Jamma'in, where an ancient Israelite village from the First Temple period (Iron Age II) was discovered in 1976. A salvage excavation carried out in 1979, just before the establishment of the settlement, revealed a range of structures including four-room houses, an olive oil press, a winepress, a watering hole, a quarry, and terraces. The archaeological evidence suggests that the village likely housed a population of around 600 to 800 individuals. However, by the 7th century BCE, the site had been abandoned.[7]