According to Assist News Service, the last remaining Samaritans continue to exist in two small communities, in Holon near Tel Aviv and in Nablus on the West Bank. The Assyrians deported most of the inhabitants of the northern kingdom of Israel to Mesopotamia (Iraq) about 722 BC and brought in other settlers. Depending on interpretations, the Samaritans are either the last remaining Israelites or some of the settlers brought in who adopted some elements of Israelite religion. After repeated invasions, the Samaritans had been reduced to less than 200 people, but they have been granted Israeli citizenship, and their numbers have started to increase after intermarriage with Israelis.
