District Northern Region Golan Heights Founded 1971 | Council Golan Affiliation Kibbutz Movement | |
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Founded by Hashomer Hatzair members Weather 13°C, Wind N at 11 km/h, 80% Humidity | ||
Geshur (Hebrew: גְּשׁוּר, lit. Bridging) is an Israeli settlement and kibbutz on the ridge of the southern Golan Heights. The international community considers Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this. In 2015 it had a population of 264.
Contents
Map of Gshur
Biblical era
The kibbutz is named after a mythical biblical kingdom which may or may not have been in the same area. According to the Bible, during the time of King David, Geshur was an independent kingdom (Joshua 13:13). David married Maachah, a daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur. (2 Samuel 3:3, 1 Chronicles 3:2) Her son Absalom fled to his mother's native country, after the murder of his half-brother and David's eldest son, Amnon. Absalom stayed there for three years before being rehabilitated by David. (ib. 13:37, 15:8) Geshur managed to maintain its independence from the Aramean kingdoms until after the time of King Solomon.
Modern era
Kibbutz Geshur was founded in 1971 by Hashomer Hatzair, a socialist-Zionist youth movement, It falls under the jurisdiction of Golan Regional Council. Geshur has a population of 150, including 35 children.
The first Golan Heights vineyards were planted in Geshur in 1976.