Israel begins development of Herod’s Pool in the West Bank

Herod’s Pool West Bank Bezalel Smotrich water diversion Palestinian land

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has announced the commencement of a development and preservation project for Herod’s Pool, an ancient reservoir located in the occupied West Bank.

The site, situated near the Palestinian village of Fasayil close to Jericho, was recently filled after settlers diverted water from the village over the summer. Rather than restoring the water supply to the local Palestinian community, Israeli authorities are moving to formalize the site as a historical landmark.

Smotrich pledged approximately three million shekels (nearly $1 million) in June to support the project, which he described as part of a larger effort to strengthen Israel’s presence and preserve historical sites. However, the reservoir sits on land privately owned by a Palestinian farmer. While settlers claim the pool is linked to the first-century BC King Herod, archaeologists have not yet confirmed its historical origins.

Entities

Bezalel Smotrich · Fasayil · Herod’s Pool · Israel · Jericho

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The pool is located on privately-owned Palestinian land belonging to a farmer. stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Archaeologists have not established the construction date of the reservoir. stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Smotrich pledged more than three million shekels, approximately $1 million, in June to develop the site. stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Smotrich declared on social media that 'The Settlement Revolution continues!' stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that the development and preservation of Herod’s Pool has commenced. stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Israeli authorities have begun a development project around an outdoor pool in the occupied West Bank. stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · www.aljazeera.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The pool was filled after settlers diverted water from the Palestinian village of Fasayil. stvincenttribune.com · antiguatribune.com · www.aljazeera.com

Sources

What is ‘Herod’s Pool’, and why is Israel developing it in the West Bank? - St. Vincent Tribune – Daily St Vincent And The Grenadines News [stvincenttribune.com]

22 days ago

What is ‘Herod’s Pool’, and why is Israel developing it in the West Bank? - Antigua Tribune – Daily Antigua & Caribbean News, Global Headlines & Insights [antiguatribune.com]

22 days ago

What is ‘Herod’s Pool’, and why is Israel developing it in the West Bank? [www.aljazeera.com]

22 days ago