Halhul

Basic Information

Type

City

Governorate

Hebron

Region

West Bank - Southern

Overview

Halhul is a Palestinian town located 6 km north of Hebron city, at the highest elevation of the Hebron Governorate — approximately 1,011 meters above sea level. This elevation makes Halhul home to the highest-altitude vineyards in Palestine, with grape cultivation reaching 1,030 meters. The town's name derives from the Hebrew 'Halhul' meaning 'trembling,' possibly referring to its windswept hilltop location. Halhul has been continuously inhabited since ancient times and contains archaeological remains from multiple periods. Since 1967, Halhul has faced land confiscation for the Karmei Tzur settlement and Highway 60 bypass road, as well as severe restrictions on building in Area C. The town's western agricultural lands have been cut off by the Separation Wall, denying farmers access to thousands of dunums.

Historical Significance

Halhul is the highest town in the West Bank, sitting at over 1,000 meters elevation. It is home to Palestine's highest vineyards, a critical component of the nationally famous Hebron grape production. The town's high altitude, Terra Rossa soils, and cool climate produce grapes with exceptional sugar content and flavor — the Dabookeh grape stock thrives here. Halhul is also known for the tomb of the Prophet Jonah (Nabi Yunis), an important religious site. The town's proximity to Hebron city has made it a target for settlement expansion and land confiscation.

Sources and record limitations

Source detail varies by record. Some entries include document and page references; others supply source names only. Check the cited material and the record's limitations before relying on a specific claim.

• PCBS
• ARIJ Halhul City Profile
• Wikipedia