Ateret () is an Israeli settlement organized as a community settlement in the West Bank. Located in the municipal jurisdiction of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council, it is located on a hilltop, at an elevation of 760 metres. In it had a population of .
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.McCarthy, Rory. Palestine calls for release of intifada leader in prisoner swap with Israel The Guardian, 29 November 2009Valk, Guus. Under construction: utopian city for Palestinian yuppies NRC Handelsblad. 2 April 2010
Etymology Initially, the locality was called Neve Tzof B, due to its proximity to the existing Neve Tzuf locality . Later, the name "Ateret" was given, in connection with the name of the biblical city "Atarot" in the land of the Tribe of Ephraim. This is due to the proximity to the village of Atara, which preserves this name.
History The village was founded in August 1981 by a group, led by Tzvi Halamish, of eight families and a few singles.Ateret
According to ARIJ, Israel confiscated land from three nearby Palestinian villages in order to construct Ateret:
363 dunams from Ajjul,'Ajjul Village Profile, ARIJ, p. 17 163 dunums from 'Atara,Atara Village profile, ARIJ, p. 18 and 186 dunams from Umm Safa.Umm Safa Village Profile, ARIJ p. 16
References