Nestled in the heart of the dusty Middle East, between the Mediterranean coast and the Jordan River, lies a region steeped in both historical and spiritual significance. Known as Judea and Samaria, these lands have been the backdrop of countless biblical events.
To understand this area, we need to journey back thousands of years, to a time when the names Judea and Samaria were first etched into the annals of history. That’s because these regions are not just geographic terms — they are the birthplace of ancient civilizations, the cradle of monotheism, and the focal point of geopolitical struggles.
In this blog, we’ll delve into the history of Judea and Samaria, why it’s sometimes referred to as the West Bank, uncover the origins of their names, and explore the significance they hold in the ongoing narrative of the land.
What is Judea & Samaria?
Judea and Samaria, known as Yehudah V’Shomron in Hebrew, is a region in Israel located to the west of the Jordan River. This area is historically significant, both as the heartland of the ancient Jewish kingdoms and as the backdrop for many key events in Jewish history and the Torah.
Today, “Judea and Samaria” is often used interchangeably with the term “the West Bank.”
The difference between Judea & Samaria and the West Bank
The term "West Bank" is commonly used by the media today to refer to this land, but the name’s origins are tied to a specific historical context.
After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Kingdom of Jordan occupied the territory that lies on the western side of the Jordan River, including parts of ancient Judea and Samaria. In an effort to distinguish this newly controlled area from Jordan itself, which lies on the eastern bank of the river, the term "West Bank" was introduced.
Jordan’s occupation of the region was never recognized as legal by the international community, and only lasted until 1967, when Jordan attacked Israel alongside Egypt, Syria, and Iraq and ultimately lost the territory to Israel.
Today, the name "West Bank" is still commonly used in both political and media discourse, even though the term was shaped by a short period of illegal occupation.
Where are Judea and Samaria?
Judea and Samaria are located in the central region of Israel and form a critical part of the landscape that stretches between the Mediterranean coastal plain and the Jordan River.
The region is home to some of the most historically significant sites in the world, such as:
Shiloh - Where the mobile tabernacle rested and the capital of the Jewish nation for 369 years.
Hebron - Where the Patriarchs and Matriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah are buried.
Bethlehem - Where Rachel was buried and where King David was born.
These cities are located along ancient trade routes and were centers of civilization for thousands of years, with Judea and Samaria serving as a crossroads for various empires and cultures throughout history. The terrain of Judea and Samaria, with its deep valleys, rugged hills, and fertile plains, has shaped the strategic, cultural, and spiritual importance of this land.
Geographically, the area covers about 5,640 square kilometers (approximately 2,180 square miles) and has a mix of urban, rural, and agricultural areas.
Strategic significance
This geographic positioning places the area at the heart of the country, bordering Israel’s eastern frontier with Jordan. The region includes the Judean Hills in the south and the Samaria Hills in the north, both of which rise sharply above the Jordan Valley. These hills provide a commanding view of much of central Israel, including cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Beersheba, making the region a crucial strategic asset.
Historically, the elevated terrain of Judea and Samaria has been a military advantage. Prior to 1967, during Jordanian control, enemy forces used the highlands to launch attacks on Israel, disrupting life for those living in Israel’s heartland. The region's central location, combined with its mountainous terrain, made it a key point for controlling access to Israel from the east.
In modern terms, Judea and Samaria form a land bridge between Israel to the west and Jordan to the east. This makes the region critical not only for Israel’s security but also for regional stability. Its proximity to both the Jordan River and the Dead Sea further enhances its strategic significance, as it controls vital water resources and transportation routes.
The history of Judea & Samaria
To understand Judea and Samaria today, we must first travel back in time to the ancient world.
Judea & Samaria in the Torah
The connection between the Jewish people and the regions of Judea and Samaria runs deep, stretching back to biblical times. These areas are not only geographically significant but are also central to Judaism, with many of the Torah’s most pivotal events taking place in their mountains, valleys, and cities. For the Jewish people, this land holds both spiritual and historical meaning.
One of the earliest and most important events in the Torah is when God first speaks to Abraham, promising the land to his descendants as part of an eternal covenant. This moment took place in Elon Moreh, a location in Samaria, marking the beginning of the Jewish connection to this land. Abraham’s journey through the region would shape the spiritual and physical identity of the Jewish nation for generations to come.
Another key site in the area is Beit El (Bethel), where Jacob, later named Israel, has his famous dream of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Likewise, Hebron, located in Judea, is home to the Cave of Machpelah, where Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah are buried. This site has been a center of Jewish worship for millennia and remains one of the holiest places in Judaism.
Other cities and towns in Judea and Samaria, such as Shiloh, Shechem (Nablus), Jericho, Kiryat Arba, Bethlehem, and Efrat, are also deeply woven into the fabric of the Torah.
These locations are far more than just points on a map — they are integral to the Jewish people's spiritual and historical identity, featured prominently in the stories of the Torah.
Jewish history in Judea & Samaria
The history of Judea and Samaria also ties in with the Exodus — the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt.
After wandering in the desert for forty years, the Jews were ready to enter the land promised to them by G-d. While Moses did not live to enter the land himself, the conquest began under the leadership of Joshua, who led the Israelites into Judea, Samaria, and other regions of ancient Israel.
The Book of Joshua recounts the battles and settlements that followed, including the capturing of key cities in Judea and Samaria, such as Jericho and Ai. This period is marked by the Jews’ efforts to establish themselves in the land, and Judea became one of the first territories settled by the twelve tribes of Israel.
From then on, the Jewish people have maintained a continuous presence in these areas. While the population ebb and flow over the centuries due to various conquests, exiles, and displacements, the spiritual and historical connection to Judea and Samaria has never been severed. For Jews, these regions are considered the heartland of their ancient ancestral homeland, and their connection to the land remains an intrinsic part of their identity.
Where did Judea & Samaria get their names?
The name Judea comes from the name Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel and is the origin of the word Jew.
When the Israelites conquered the region in the time of Joshua, each of the twelve tribes were given a section of the land for themselves. The region from Jerusalem and south was given to the tribe of Judah. It is this land that has been referred to as Judea till today.
Around 1000 BCE, Judah’s descendent King David established the Jewish kingdom’s capital in Jerusalem, in Judea.
His son, King Solomon, built the First Temple in Jerusalem, making it the center of Jewish worship. At this point, the territory of the Land of Israel was united, stretching across the entire region of modern-day Israel and parts of Judea and Samaria.
After Solomon’s death, the kingdom split into two parts. The northern kingdom became the Kingdom of Israel, with its capital initially in Shechem (modern-day Nablus in Samaria) and later in Samaria (the city) itself. The southern kingdom, known as Judah, was centered around Jerusalem in the region of Judea.
In 722 BCE, the Assyrian Empire conquered the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling the ten northern tribes, who became known as the Lost Tribes of Israel. The Kingdom of Judah survived for another 150 years until it was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, leading to the Babylonian Exile of the Jewish elite. Despite the exiles, many Jews remained in the land.
Throughout Roman, Byzantine, and later Islamic and Ottoman rule, the region’s identity continued to evolve. Judea and Samaria, while often under foreign control, remained a significant cultural and religious center for Jewish people.
Who lives in Judea & Samaria now?
The number of Jewish residents living in Judea and Samaria is around 500,000, not including an additional 210,000 Israelis residing in east Jerusalem’s post-1967 neighborhoods.
On the Palestinian side, the population of Arab residents in Judea and Samaria is estimated to be between 1.5 million and 2.5 million, though exact figures are difficult to determine. This wide range is due in large part to the unreliable census data provided by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which controls parts of the region.
The current conflict over Judea & Samaria
After the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel gained control of Judea and Samaria, which had previously been under Jordanian rule. Since then, the region has been at the heart of a struggle for sovereignty and self-determination between Israelis and Palestinians.
Even though Judea and Samaria is widely known to be part of the historic Land of Israel with rich Jewish ties, many in the West believe that the area should be a part of a future Palestinian state.
That’s despite the fact that Palestinian leadership has consistently asserted that a Palestinian state alongside Israel would not be enough — they want one that will replace Israel altogether. On the contrary, many offers to provide them with their own state in that land have been refuted, including one as recently as 2020.
The future of Judea & Samaria
The two-state solution, which envisions a separate Arab state alongside Israel, is increasingly viewed as unworkable for several key reasons.
First, the deep-rooted historical, religious, and cultural connections of the Jewish people to Judea and Samaria make it nearly impossible to divide the territory in a way that satisfies both sides.
The Palestinian leadership has shown little willingness to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, and their demand for Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state is fundamentally at odds with Israel’s claim to the city as its eternal and undivided capital. Additionally, the Palestinian’s ongoing incitement to violence and refusal to engage in meaningful peace talks, coupled with the entrenched terrorism and extremist ideologies, further complicate any efforts for a lasting solution.
With these realities in mind, dividing the land into two hostile states would not bring peace; instead, it would likely lead to further instability, violence, and the fracturing of the region into even more conflict-ridden enclaves.
One Jewish State’s view for the land
In his book One Jewish State, former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman explains why the only viable path forward for true peace, security, and prosperity for all citizens of this land is for Israel to assert its sovereignty over Judea and Samaria.
Modeled off of places like Puerto Rico, where residents enjoy significant autonomy but are not granted full political representation in the U.S. Congress, Friedman explains that Arabs living in these regions can be granted full civil rights even if they are not given the right to vote in Israel’s national elections.
Likewise, with the help of the Arab countries that are part of the Abraham Accords, Arabs living in this land who do not want to fall under Israeli sovereignty can be given the choice to leave the country.
By applying this solution, Israel can maintain its Jewish character while allowing Palestinians to live in peace, with the necessary protections for their rights and a path to a dignified future. In doing so, Israel can create a stable, prosperous, and inclusive society where all people — Jewish and Arab alike — benefit from security, economic opportunity, and peaceful coexistence.
This approach offers the best chance for the region to thrive, free from the unending cycle of conflict that has plagued past attempts at peace.
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