Abu Kush

Sherds from the early Ottoman era have also been found here.[4] In 1838 it was noted by Edward Robinson as a Muslim village, Abu Kush, in Beni Harith district, north of Jerusalem.[5]

In 1863 Victor Guérin noted it as "A hamlet of about twenty houses, situated on a high hill, the slopes of which are partly covered with vines, olive trees and fig trees."[6]

An Ottoman village list of about 1870 indicated that the village had 25 houses and a population of 78, though the population count included men, only. It was further noted that it was located just west of Surda.[7][8]

In 1882 the PEF's Survey of Western Palestine (SWP) described Abu Kush as: "a very small hamlet, with a well on the north, on an ancient road, with a few olives near."[9]

In 1896 the population of Abu Kusch was estimated to be about 204 persons.[10]

Agricultural terraces in 1942 (British Mandate)

In the 1922 census of Palestine, conducted by the British Mandate authorities, the population of Abu Kush was 171 Muslims,[11] increasing in the 1931 census to 246 inhabitants, in 49 houses.[12]

In the 1945 statistics Abu Kush had a population of 300 Muslims,[13] and a total land area of 4,751 dunams.[14] 1,166 dunams were for plantations and irrigable land, 1,447 were for cereals,[15] while 42 dunams were built-up areas.[16]

In the wake of the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, and after the 1949 Armistice Agreements, Abu Kush came under Jordanian rule. It was annexed by Jordan in 1950.

In 1961, the population was 510.[17]

Since the Six-Day War in 1967, Abu Kush has been under Israeli occupation.

After the 1995 Oslo II accords, 99.8% of Abu Kush land was classified as Area B land and the remaining 0.2% as Area C.[18]