Kufur Kassem or Kafr Qassim

:Historical Summary

All historical sources tend to agree that Kufur Kassem history goes back to 300 hundreds years. In addition, the land were Kafr Qassem is located was not deserted area, the remaining of Roman ruins supports this fact that the area was inhibited in old times. After World War II Kufur Kassem was subjected to the British mandate, and in 1949 Israel has annexed it after signing the Rodeos Accord. Kufr Qassem was known of the village where the Israeli invasion came to a halt in the southern part. In addition, it well known because of the savage massacre that was committed by the Israel Police border in October 29, 1956. In this massacre 49 innocent people including kids, women, and elderly people were killed in cold blood. Thirdly, the village is known of being the place where Sheik Abdullah Nimir Darwish incepted the Islamic Movement.

The first local council in Kufr Qassem was established in 1959, and ever since the competition was very close between the major families (Hamula) of Sarsour and Issa until 1989 when the nominee of the Islamic Movement Mr. Ibraheem Sarsour was elected to be the head of the local council.

:Location

Kufur Kassem on what is called of the ‘Green Line ‘. (Imaginary line the separated the west bank from “Israel”.  Is located on a hill (150m above sea level). The village is considered the start of the   Triangle from the south. It is located about 6km east Petah Tiqva, and about 20 km east of Tel-Aviv.

:Special Challenges

Kufr Qassem, and almost all the villages in the Arabic Sector in Israel face many challenges concerning development, budget, and level of services to be provided to the residents.

:However, we may summarized the challenges in three major points

Refusal of Israel recognizing and admitting the responsibility of committing the massacre in 1956.

Jurisdictions dispute between the village and Rosh Hayin municipality

Influx of new comers especially Bedouins from the Negev area, and from mixed cities. The local council is trying to get the needed funds to offer the best services for all the citizens of Kufr Qassem.

:Population

Kufr Qassem population is 18000