About Yitzhar

Yitzhar is an Israeli settlement established in 1983 in the West Bank, situated approximately 10 kilometers southwest of Nablus, near Route 60 and north of the Tapuach Junction. The community is predominantly Orthodox Jewish and falls under the jurisdiction of the Shomron Regional Council. As of recent data, Yitzhar has a population of around 1,635 residents.

Historical Background

Yitzhar originated as a Nahal military outpost named “Rogen” in 1983. In 1984, it transitioned to a civilian settlement with assistance from Gush Emunim’s settlement organization, Amana. The name “Yitzhar” is derived from a biblical term meaning “high-quality olive oil,” reflecting the region’s historical association with olive cultivation.

Geographical Context

Positioned at an elevation of 808 meters above sea level on the ridge of Salmen al Parsi, Yitzhar is part of a series of settlements encircling Nablus. The settlement encompasses an area of approximately 1,663 dunams and is planned to accommodate over a thousand families in single-family homes.

Community and Economy

The residents of Yitzhar are predominantly strictly religious Jewish settlers. The settlement’s economy includes agriculture, with olive groves, vineyards, a winery, and wheat fields. Notably, only Israeli labor is employed in these enterprises, and construction projects within the settlement are primarily undertaken by its residents.

Security and Regional Tensions

Yitzhar has been identified as a focal point of regional tensions. In 2008, The New York Times described it as “an extremist bastion on the hilltops commanding the Palestinian city of Nablus.” The settlement has a reputation for being among the most extreme, with inhabitants regularly clashing with Israeli security forces and local Palestinian civilians. Yitzhar is also associated with the “price tag” policy, which involves attacks against Palestinians in retaliation for Israeli government actions against West Bank settlements.

Recent Incidents

In recent years, Yitzhar has been the site of several security incidents. In one instance, a drone rigged with a pipe bomb was identified near Yitzhar in the Shomron Brigade area. IDF forces and explosives experts neutralized the device, which was then transferred for investigation.

Additionally, an IDF non-commissioned officer was injured in a stabbing attack at the Yitzhar intersection. The officer was assaulted while stopped at an intersection, sustaining injuries from a stabbing through his open car window. He managed to drive to an IDF checkpoint, where he received emergency medical aid before being evacuated to Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah.

Governance

Yitzhar is administered by the Shomron Regional Council, which oversees numerous settlements in the northern West Bank. The council provides municipal services and infrastructure support to these communities.

Yitzhar remains a significant and often contentious presence in the West Bank, emblematic of the complex dynamics between Israeli settlements and Palestinian communities in the region.