Abu Ghosh

Abu Ghosh (Arabic: أبو غوش‎; Hebrew: אבו גוש) is an Arab town in Israel, located 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) west of Jerusalem on the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway. It is situated 610–720 meters above sea level. Abu Ghosh is known for its good relations with the State of Israel and hospitality toward Israeli Jews.

History

Abu Ghosh is one of the earliest areas of human habitation in Israel. Archaeological excavations have revealed three Neolithic settlement phases, the middle phase is dated to the 7th millennium BCE. Its old Arabic name of Qaryat al-'Inab ("Grape Village") has led Abu Ghosh to be identified with the biblical site of Kiryat Ye'arim, known in English as Kiriath-jearim (Hebrew meaning: "Village of Woods").

Legio X Fretensis of the Roman army had a station house in Abu Ghosh until the end of the 3rd century.

The village has also been associated with Anathoth, the birthplace of the prophet Jeremiah.

Ottoman era

Abu Ghosh is the name of an Arab family that settled here in the early 16th century. According to the family tradition, they had Circassian descent, and the founder fought with Selim I. In the 18th century they lived in a village near Bayt Nuba, from which they ruled the surrounding region. However, according to the tradition, the Banu 'Amir tribesmen and the villagers of Beit Liqya rose against them and slaughtered the entire Abu Ghosh clan except for one woman and her baby, who continued the Abu Ghosh name.