Tzur Natan
Tzur Natan is an Israeli moshav in the southern Sharon region, situated along the Green Line near the Samarian hills. Established as a Nahal settlement in 1966, it holds strategic importance due to its proximity to the seam zone and its rich archaeological heritage, including a significant Samaritan synagogue site.
Tzur Natan is a cooperative smallholder community (moshav) located in the central Sharon region of Israel, within the jurisdiction of the Drom HaSharon Regional Council. Positioned on a ridge overlooking the coastal plain, the community sits directly adjacent to the Green Line, the pre-1967 armistice boundary separating sovereign Israel from Samaria. This geographic position places Tzur Natan at a critical security junction, often referred to as the 'seam zone,' where the proximity between Israeli residential areas and Palestinian population centers is most acute. Historically, Tzur Natan was founded in 1966 by the Nahal brigade as a strategic outpost before being converted into a civilian moshav affiliated with the Beitar movement.
Beyond its modern security role, the area is of significant archaeological interest. Excavations conducted between 1989 and 1991 revealed 'Horbat Migdal,' an archaeological site containing the remains of a Samaritan synagogue from the Late Roman or Byzantine period, featuring Greek inscriptions and mosaics. In June 2026, the moshav became a focal point of national attention following a lethal 'rolling' terror attack that struck several communities in the Sharon region. During the incident, a terrorist was neutralized near the community gate after a gun battle with security forces. The attack resulted in the death of a local resident, St.-Sgt. (res.) Haim Kalomiti, a member of the community's emergency response team, and the serious wounding of the community's security coordinator (Raba'shatz). The event underscored the ongoing security challenges faced by seam-zone communities and the vital role of local civilian defense squads.