Malachei HaShalom
Malachei HaShalom
מלאכי השלום | |
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Interactive map of Malachei HaShalom |
Malachei HaShalom (Hebrew: מלאכי השלום, lit. 'Angels of Peace') is an Israeli settlement outpost in the Binyamin Region of the northern West Bank. Located near the settlement of Kochav HaShahar, it was established in 2015 following the murder of Malachi Rosenfeld in a shooting attack. The town is located on Route 458.[1]
Originally founded as an unauthorized outpost, the community was officially recognized and legalized by the Israeli cabinet in February 2023.[2][3] Palestinians are not permitted to enter the community.[4] Like all Israeli settlements in the West Bank, it is considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
History
The outpost was established in 2015. For several years, it operated without official government authorization. Throughout the town's existence, several farms were set up in nearby areas by settlers of the community. In February 2023, the Israeli security cabinet voted to officially recognize and legalize Malachei HaShalom alongside eight other West Bank outposts. Later, in 2024, the Israeli government declared approximately 750 dunams (185 acres) of land in the outpost's area as state land, expanding the territory designated for the community.[5]
Etymology
The community is named in memory of two Israeli victims of Palestinian shooting attacks: Malachi Rosenfeld from Kochav HaShahar, who was killed on the Alon Road in 2015, and Shalom (Shuli) HarMelech, who was killed in 2003. The combined name also references the phrase "Malachei HaShalom" (Angels of Peace) from the traditional Jewish Shabbat piyyut "Shalom Aleichem".[6]
Security incidents
In April 2024, a 14-year-old Israeli shepherd from the outpost, Benjamin Achimeir, was murdered in a terrorist attack while tending sheep nearby.[7] His disappearance and the subsequent discovery of his body triggered a wave of confrontations and violence between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the surrounding villages,[8][9] including Al-Mughayyir.
In August 2025, another shooting attack occurred near the outpost, targeting Israeli shepherds. A 20-year-old Israeli man was wounded in the incident, and the Israel Defense Forces subsequently set up checkpoints and search operations in the nearby Palestinian village of Al-Mughayyir.[10]
References
- ↑ Eglash, Ruth (16 October 2025). "New Frontier: A Jewish future is cemented in the West Bank | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "Which outposts have now become 9 new West Bank settlements? - explainer | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "Israel authorises West Bank outposts, despite U.S. admonition".
- ↑ Nashed, Mat. "'We're on the edge': Palestinians terrified by Israeli settler violence". www.aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "Peace Now Declaration of 750 dunams as State Land in the outpost of Malachei HaShalom". peacenow.org.il. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "» IDF Forces Demolish Synagogue and Homes in Samaria". Retrieved 2026-06-16.
- ↑ "Benjamin Achimeir". www.gov.il. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- ↑ "West Bank: Body of Israeli shepherd, 14 found in West Bank". 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2026-06-16.
- ↑ "West Bank sees biggest settler rampage since war in Gaza began as Israeli teen's body is found". AP News. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2026-06-16.
- ↑ "One wounded in terror attack near Ramallah | The Jerusalem Post". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2025-08-21. Retrieved 2026-06-16.