KedumimEdit
Kedumim is an Israeli settlement in the central West Bank that stands as a long-standing component of the regional mosaic of Jewish communities on the land. Located along the main corridor between Jerusalem and the northern West Bank, it appears as a stable hub in the area set within the jurisdiction of the Binyamin Regional Council and closely tied to the broader movement of Jewish settlement in the West Bank. Founded in the 1970s by a group of religious Zionist families, Kedumim has grown into a municipality with a mix of agricultural activity, small industry, and a community life centered on family and study. The name Kedumim itself evokes a sense of historical continuity with the land and with biblical heritage, a theme common to many settlements in the region.
From the outset, Kedumim has been positioned as more than a residential enclave; it is part of a broader strategy to anchor Jewish presence in areas viewed as integral to Israel’s security and homeland. The community emphasizes continuity with Jewish history and the practical benefits of settlement activity, including local agriculture, educational institutions, and social services that sustain families across generations. The settlement sits within the West Bank landscape that has been shaped by decades of political debate, security considerations, and evolving national policy, and Kedumim participates in the political and social rhythms of this context through its local institutions and its connections to the Yesha Council and the broader settler movement.
History
Kedumim emerged in the era after the 1967 war as part of a wave of settlement activity intended to establish a durable Jewish presence in key areas of the Judea and Samaria region. Its founders and early residents sought to create a living example of a Jewish community rooted in religious Zionist values, with a view to practical settlement, agricultural work, and education. Over time, the town expanded through new neighborhoods and infrastructural development, aligning with the policy framework of the Binyamin Regional Council and drawing support from national political currents that favored continued settlement in the West Bank.
As it grew, Kedumim developed a local economy anchored in agriculture—orchards, dairy farming, and related agro-industrial activity—along with services that support families and businesses. The community also invested in education and religious study, maintaining synagogues, schools, and communal facilities that are typical of many settlements in the region. Administratively, Kedumim functions with a local governance structure that coordinates with the regional council, illustrating how settlements integrate into Israel’s system of local government while functioning within a contested border area that is part of ongoing diplomatic discussions about final status and borders.
Geography
Kedumim sits on the central hills of the West Bank, in a landscape characterized by a semi-arid climate with seasonal rainfall and a mix of agricultural terraces and residential spaces. Its location along a major transport axis—often discussed in connection with Route 60—places it within a corridor that links Jerusalem with northern settlements and Palestinian urban centers alike. The terrain and water resources in the area shape land-use decisions, from orchard cultivation to the placement of housing and public facilities, and the settlement’s geography reinforces its role as a connecting point between different parts of the region. The community’s built environment blends housing with communal spaces, schools, and agricultural infrastructure that reflect a long-standing pattern of settlement in this part of the West Bank.
Demographics and economy
The population of Kedumim comprises families who often maintain a religious Zionist orientation, with a social and educational life centered on family, Torah study, and community involvement. The economy combines agriculture with local crafts and small businesses, alongside services that sustain daily life for residents. The community’s institutions—schools, synagogues, and cultural centers—form the backbone of daily life, while connections to the surrounding region—via the regional council and national projects—help integrate Kedumim into broader economic and political networks. The settlement also participates in regional planning and security discussions that touch on infrastructure, land use, and access to resources in the area.
Controversies and debates
Kedumim sits at the center of a long-running and deeply contested political topic: the status and future of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. From a perspective that emphasizes Jewish historical ties to the land, security needs, and the practical benefits of maintaining a permanent presence in this part of the country, Kedumim represents a case for continuing settlement activity as a matter of national policy and strategic reality. Proponents argue that settlements like Kedumim contribute to Israel’s security by creating a ring of communities in which residents can help monitor and respond to regional conditions, and they contend that the question of borders and settlements is ultimately a matter for a negotiated peace that reflects Israel’s security needs and historical connections to the land.
Critics—often drawing on international legal arguments and the normative framework of the two-state paradigm—see settlements as an obstacle to the creation of a contiguous Palestinian state and as a destabilizing factor in the Arab–Israeli conflict. They point to various interpretations of international law and to the implications of settlement expansion for the prospect of a negotiated settlement. The right-leaning view maintained by Kedumim’s supporters contends that international opinion has inconsistencies or double standards when applied to questions of sovereignty and security and argues that Judea and Samaria constitute a historic homeland for the Jewish people, with modern settlements like Kedumim reflecting legitimate expressions of national self-determination. The debates around Kedumim, like those surrounding many settlements, involve questions of legality, security, diplomacy, and the balance between national strategy and the rights and aspirations of both peoples.
In operational terms, the presence of Kedumim shapes discussions about access, governance, and security in the wider area, including how the local and national authorities manage growth, infrastructure, and relations with nearby Palestinian communities. The discourse around these issues often features competing narratives about risk, opportunity, and responsibility, with supporters stressing the importance of solidifying Jewish communities in historical heartland areas and opponents stressing the need to resolve core political questions before extending further settlement activity. The conversation surrounding Kedumim thus intersects with broader themes in Israeli policy, regional security calculations, and the pursuit of peace arrangements that have been at the heart of two-state solution discussions and related diplomacy.