Israel is developing a reservoir on land in the occupied West Bank, with water diverted from Palestinians. Work has begun on a project around an outdoor pool in the West Bank, which was filled after settlers diverted water from the Palestinian village of Fasayil over the summer. Instead of restoring the water to the village, Israeli authorities are formalizing the site, now referred to as "Herod’s Pool," named after an ancient Jewish king.
On Sunday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that development and preservation of Herod’s Pool had commenced, linking it to a larger initiative to strengthen Israel's hold on historical sites. Smotrich stated, "The Settlement Revolution continues!" in a social media post featuring images of workers at the site.
The announcement follows Smotrich’s pledge of more than three million shekels (approximately $1 million) to develop the site, despite it being located on privately-owned Palestinian land belonging to a farmer. The diversion of water to the pool is part of Israel’s control over water resources in the fertile Jordan Valley of the occupied West Bank, and represents another instance of land seizure under the guise of archaeological heritage.
Herod’s Pool, named after King Herod the Great from the first century BC, is situated next to a natural spring in the Palestinian village of Fasayil. While settlers claim it belonged to King Herod, archaeologists have not established its origins. Alon Arad, executive director of Emek Shaveh, an Israeli NGO, noted that the pool’s history is unclear and criticized the use of archaeology to promote the idea that the West Bank is exclusively Jewish.
Israeli politicians and settlers have also sought control over other historical sites, such as Solomon’s Pools in Bethlehem, which have been used by Palestinians for generations. Palestinians argue that the targeting of their water sources is part of a broader strategy to seize resources and displace them.
The reservoir is located on land owned by Palestinian farmer Saad Nemer, whose family has held the property for over a century. Nemer reported that settlers have redirected water from his farm to use the pool, damaging his farmland and threatening him and his employees. The Israeli military body overseeing the West Bank, COGAT, acknowledged the unauthorized diversion of water and stated it would investigate, despite ongoing celebrations of the pool by Israeli officials.
Nemer indicated that he was informed by COGAT that his water would be restored, but it was only available for one day before being cut off again. He expressed fear of approaching the reservoir due to potential settler violence.
The name Herod is prominently featured in Israeli heritage projects throughout the occupied West Bank, which Israel refers to as "Judea and Samaria." Critics argue that these projects are increasingly used to extend Israeli control over Palestinian land and heritage sites. Examples include Herodium, a site south of Jerusalem, and Sebastia, where significant funding has been allocated for excavation and development as an Israeli national park.
Israeli Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu stated that such sites would be primarily recognized as Jewish heritage. The Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, which has faced access restrictions, is also situated on land considered significant to both Muslims and Jews. In 2017, UNESCO designated Hebron’s Old City as a Palestinian heritage site, citing threats from Israeli settler encroachments, which were opposed by settlers on the grounds of historical claims.