District Judea and Samaria Area Region West Bank Name meaning Precious stones | Council Shomron Population (2015) 1,709 Founded 1990 | |
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Founded by Students from Karnei Shomron Weather 17°C, Wind SW at 24 km/h, 58% Humidity | ||
Avnei Hefetz (Hebrew: אַבְנֵי חֵפֶץ, lit. Precious Stones), is an Israeli settlement (organised as a communal settlement) located on the western edge of the northern West Bank. The settlement under the administrative municipal government of the Shomron Regional Council, is located adjacent to Tulkarm, Einav and Sal'it. The nearest Israeli cities are Netanya to the west and Kfar Saba to the southwest, both about a twenty-five-minute drive away. There are four distinct neighborhoods of Avnei Hefetz: Neve Hefetz – urban, Avnei Shoham – rural, Mitzpe Hefetz – rural, Avnei Hen – rural. In 2015 its population was 1,709.
Contents
Map of Avnei Hefets
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.
History
Established in 1990 by a group of Israeli Orthodox Jewish students from the Karnei Shomron Hesder Yeshiva with help from Amana, Avnei Hefetz is now home to over 200 families, including hundreds of children. The name of the village comes from Isaiah 54:12:
Education
There are many institutions located on the settlement: six nurseries, six kindergartens, a combined elementary school and junior high school, and a morning and evening kollel.