Hermesh
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| Etymology: Scythe | |
Hermesh Hermesh Hermesh | |
| Coordinates: 32°25′24″N 35°7′9″E / 32.42333°N 35.11917°E / 32.42333; 35.11917 | |
| Country | Palestine |
| District | Judea and Samaria Area |
| Council | Shomron |
| Region | West Bank |
| Affiliation | Mishkei Herut Beitar |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founded by | Mishkei Herut Beitar |
| Population (2024)1 | 295 |
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 2024 it had a population of 295.
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 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
Frasin, 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
References
- "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2026.
- "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
- Avi-Yonah, Michael (1976). "Gazetteer of Roman Palestine". Qedem. 5: 72. ISSN 0333-5844.