Kokhav Ya'akov
Israeli settlement in the West Bank
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kokhav Ya'akov (Hebrew: כּוֹכַב יַעֲקֹב, lit. 'Star of Jacob') is a religious Israeli settlement organized as a community settlement in the West Bank. Located near the Palestinian town of al-Bireh, it is administered by Mateh Binyamin Regional Council. In 2024 it had a population of 4,093. The settlement is north of Jerusalem and close to the Palestinian city of Ramallah.[2]
Kokhav Ya'akov
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|---|---|
Houses in Kokhav Ya'akov | |
| Etymology: Star of Jacob | |
  Kokhav Ya'akov | |
| Coordinates: 31°52′49″N 35°14′45″E | |
| District | Judea and Samaria Area |
| Council | Mateh Binyamin |
| Region | West Bank |
| Affiliation | Amana |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Population (2024) | 4,093[1] |
| Website | www.kochav-yaakov.org.il |
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.[3][4][5]
History
According to ARIJ Israel confiscated land from two Palestinian villages in order to construct Kokhav Ya'akov:
The settlement was established in 1985 by the Amana settlement movement, and was initially named Abir Ya'akov after rabbi Yaakov Abuhatzeira.[9] In 1988, its name was changed to Kokhav Ya'akov.[citation needed]
In 2013, Uri Ariel, then serving as Minister of Construction, visited Kochav Ya’akov, where he expressed support for additional home-building. Ariel indicated that he believed there was potential to construction 1,000 more homes in Kochav Ya’akov.[10]
In 2023 the Tel Zion neighbourhood was recognised as an independent settlement.[11]
Yemen Gallery
In March 2013 a heritage and tourism site promoting the legacy of Yemenite Jewry opened in Kokhav Ya'akov. Founded by Shoham Simchi, the Yemen Gallery (Hebrew: החצר התימנית) houses an art gallery and a workshop that recreates the life of Yemen's Jews. The building itself is designed in the spirit of traditional Yemenite architecture.[12][13]
Notable residents
- Bat-El Gatterer (born 1988), Israeli taekwondo Olympian and European champion[14][15][16]