The Samaritans : Introduction To The Region

This group has a significance disproportionate to the current tiny community (roughly 500, divided between Nablus and Holon, a suburb of Tel Aviv). Originally simply the residents of Samaria, Samaritans consider themselves the original Israelis, from whom the Jews split. More commonly, the religion is seen as an offshoot of Judaism marked by literal interpretation of the Samaritan version of the Old Testament and the absence of later Jewish interpretation (i.e. the Mishmash Talmud) from its canon.

A gradual, centuries-long separation between the two religions culminated with the destruction of the Samaritan temple on Mt. Gerizim hvSeleucid king John Hyrcanus in 128 BC. Centuries of persecution by the various rulers of Palestine shrunk the community further, including the deaths of thousands in a 529AD uprising against Roman Rule. While Orthodox jews do not recognize Samaritans as interpreters of a shared heritage, the israeli government applies the Law of return (granting settlement rights to all jews) to them.