page_title: Tekoa, Gush Etzion
section_title: Founding
hierarchical_section_title: Tekoa, Gush Etzion / History / Founding
caption_attribution_description: Views from Herodion (Herodyon, Herodium) - Tekoa, behind Tekoa on the right is Khirbet al-Deir and in the center left is Tuqu'. מבט מהרודיון - תקוע
context_page_description: Tekoa is an Israeli settlement organized as a community settlement in the West Bank, located 20 km northeast of Hebron, 16 km south of Jerusalem and in the immediate vicinity of the Palestinian village of Tuqu'. It falls under the jurisdiction of Gush Etzion Regional Council. In 2018 it had a population of 3,882.
  The international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.
context_section_description: Tekoa was established in 1975 as a Nahal outpost in the vicinity of the Palestinian village of Tuqu'. In 1977 it was handed over to civilian residents. It is named after the hometown of the Biblical prophet Amos, whereupon the neighbouring settlement of Nokdim indicates his profession (shepherd) - see Amos 1:1.
  Tekoa is built on 1071 dunam of land which Israel confiscated from the Palestinian citizens of Tuqu'.
  The town is located 5 miles south of Bethlehem at the foot of Herodion ("Herod's Palace").
caption: View of Tekoa from Herodion.
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