Yehud Colony

Yehud-Monosson is an Israeli settlement and city located in the Central District, east of the city of Jaffa. It was established in 1953, following the 1948 war, on the ruins of the depopulated Palestinian village of Al-‘Abbasiyya, from which it also derived its name. Yehud became a city in 2003 after the administrative merger of Yehud and Neve Monosson. The total area of the city is 4.7 km², and in 2007, the population of settlers was estimated at approximately 25,800.

Yehud was built over the lands of the Palestinian village of Al-‘Abbasiyya, which was itself established on the same site as the ancient village of Yehuda (Judah). Historically, the area was known as Al-Yahudiyya, but its name was changed to Al-‘Abbasiyya in 1932 by the village’s inhabitants in honor of Sheikh Abbas, who is buried there.

Al-‘Abbasiyya was one of the larger villages in the Jaffa Subdistrict, located approximately 13 km east of Jaffa, and 50 meters above sea level.

According to 1945 estimates, the village had a population of about 5,800 residents, including 5,650 Arabs and 150 Jews. The village contained sites revered by locals, including the Shrine of Prophet Yehuda (Judah)—believed by some to be the tomb of Judah, son of Jacob. However, historical records suggest Judah was born in northern Syria and later traveled to Egypt with his father and brothers. Another notable shrine was Maqam Abu ‘Urqub, named after a revered local Sheikh.

On May 4, 1948, Zionist armed groups destroyed the village and forcibly displaced its population of approximately 6,554 people at the time.

Following the 1948 war, Israel established the settlement of Yehud on the ruins of the village. In 1949, the Magshimim settlement was built on its lands. In 1951, the settlement of Ganei Yehuda was established, followed by Ganei Tikva in 1953, and Savyon in 1954—all built on land belonging to Al-‘Abbasiyya. Furthermore, part of Ben Gurion Airport was also constructed on lands from the village.

As of 1998, the number of Palestinian refugees originating from Al-‘Abbasiyya was estimated at approximately 40,248.