Samaritans claim they are Israelite descendants of the Northern Israelite tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, who survived the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) by the Assyrians in 722 BCE.

What is Samaria called today?

Samaria, also called Sebaste, modern Sabasṭiyah, ancient town in central Palestine. It is located on a hill northwest of Nāblus in the West Bank territory under Israeli administration since 1967.

Do Samaritans still exist?

By 1919, there were only 141 Samaritans left. Today they number more than 800, with half living in Holon (south of Tel Aviv) and the other half on the mountain. They're one of the world's oldest and smallest religious groups and their songs are among the most ancient in the world.