Petza'el
{{Short description|Israeli settlement in the West Bank}}
{{Infobox Kibbutz
| name = Petza'el
| image =File:Fatzael Valley 052.JPG
| caption =
| hebname = {{Script/Hebrew|פְּצָאֵל}}
| foundation = 1970
| founded_by = Moshavim Movement
| district = js
| country =
| council = Bik'at HaYarden
| affiliation = Moshavim Movement
| popyear = {{Israel populations|Year}}
| population = {{Israel populations|Peza'el}}
| population_footnotes={{Israel populations|reference}}
| pushpin_map = Israel binyamin | pushpin_label_position = top
| pushpin_mapsize = 260
| coordinates = {{coord|32|02|39|N|35|26|32|E|display=inline,title}}
| website =
}}
Petza'el ({{langx|he|פְּצָאֵל}}) is a moshav and Israeli settlement in the West Bank. Located in the center of the Jordan Valley, 34.5 kilometers from the Green line, it falls under the jurisdiction of Bik'at HaYarden Regional Council. In {{Israel populations|Year}} it had a population of {{Israel populations|Peza'el}}. It is named for Phasael, older brother of Herod the Great, for whom he had named a city nearby in ancient times.
The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli and US governments dispute this.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1682640.stm |title=The Geneva Convention |publisher=BBC News |date=10 December 2009 |accessdate=27 November 2010 }}
Name
{{Main|Phasael (name)}}
History
{{Main|Fasayil#History and archaeology}}
During the Roman period, King Herod the Great of Judaea established a new city in the Jordan Valley north of Jericho, which he named Phasaelis ({{langx|grc|Φασαηλίς}}, Phasaēlís[https://topostext.org/place/320354UPha Phasaelis (Palestina) 11 Fasayil - Φασαηλίς] at ToposText, Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation. Accessed 24 April 2024.), in dedication to his elder brother Phasael.Josephus, Jewish War [https://www.biblestudytools.com/history/flavius-josephus/war-of-the-jews/book-1/chapter-21.html 1.21.9]; Its remains were identified in the area (more at Fasayil: History and archaeology).
=Modern Petza'el=
Petza'el was established near Ma'ale Efraim in 1970 by former soldiers who were members of the Moshavim Movement. The settlement was initially administered as both a moshav and a kibbutz. In 1975 the settlement moved to a location in the valley where the agricultural fields of the members were located. According to ARIJ, in order to construct Petza'el Israel confiscated land from two Palestinian villages: 1,242 dunams from Fasayil,[http://vprofile.arij.org/jericho/pdfs/vprofile/Fasayil_vp_Final.pdf Fasayil Village Profile] p. 17, ARIJ 176 dunams from Al-Jiftlik[http://vprofile.arij.org/jericho/pdfs/vprofile/Al%20Jiftlik_en_FINAL.pdf Al Jiftlik Village Profile] p. 17, ARIJ
In recent years,{{when |date= April 2024}} the settlements has absorbed around 30 new families, mostly the children of the founding members.{{cite web|title=פצאל [Petza'el]|url=http://www.jordanvalley.org.il/page_49323|website=Bik'at HaYarden regional council website}}Hareuveni, Immanuel; Eretz Yisrael Lexicon; Ministry of Education p.[http://www.kotar.co.il/KotarApp/Viewer.aspx?nBookID=93576566#797.3236.8.fitwidth 796]
Economy
Most of the settlement's residents earn their living from agriculture. The younger members work in both agriculture and other jobs.
In the 2013 the settlement had 3,960 dunams of cultivated land, of which 2,700 dunams was used for date palms, 800 for vineyards, 400 for vegetables (mostly peppers) and 60 for flowers. Most of the agricultural output is designated for export.{{cite web|title=פצאל [Petza'el]|url=http://www.bikathayarden.co.il/index/%D7%A4%D7%A6%D7%90%D7%9C|website=Jordan Valley Tourism}}
There are conflicting views about the builder of a race track near the settlement. Haaretz reported the illegal race track was built by the west bank regional council by using public funds.{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-west-bank-regional-council-built-illegal-racetrack-on-public-israeli-funds-1.6660884|title=West Bank regional council built illegal racetrack with public Israeli funds|newspaper=Haaretz}}
Community and civic services
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Bik'at HaYarden Regional Council}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Israeli settlements in the West Bank
Category:Populated places established in 1970
Category:1970 establishments in the Israeli Military Governorate