| Eli | ||
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| Founded | 1984 | |
| Council | Mateh Binyamin | |
| Region | West Bank | |
| District | Judea and Samaria Area | |
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Eli
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| Website | www.eli.co.il | |
Eli (Hebrew: עֵלִי) is a large mixed communal Israeli settlement in the West Bank. Located on Highway 60 north of Jerusalem and Ramallah, it falls under the jurisdiction of Mateh Binyamin Regional Council. At the end of 2008 it had a population of 2,800.[1] The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.[2] Eli is also an unauthorised and therefore illegal settlement according to Israeli law.[3]
Eli was established on 11 September 1984, when three families moved into recently placed buildings. It was the first settlement to be attempted without a core group of families. Several families from Ofra, Kokhav HaShahar, and Shilo were persuaded to come for at least a year while more families would be found. The village was originally called 'Givat Levona' after the adjacent village Ma'ale Levona.[4]
In recent years the town has evolved into the municipal center for the Shilo area settlement bloc. It became a regular destination for French Jewish immigrants, and an ulpan has been established in nearby Ofra to aid their absorption. Eli is also home to the Bnei David pre-military Mechina academy. This yeshiva also offers post-army academic programs.
Eli is named after the biblical high-priest who served in the Tabernacle in nearby biblical Shiloh.
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