Multi-million Herod’s Pools renovation project begins amid gov’t push to promote West Bank tourism

The renovation of Herod’s Pools, located near the Petzael Springs, began on Sunday as part of the initiative headed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to preserve and upkeep Jewish heritage sites in the West Bank.

A budget of over NIS 3 million was secured for the project, which will be used to develop the areas of the spring and the lower pools.

Ahead of the start of restoration, senior officials from the Settlement Administration, the Defense Ministry’s Civil Administration, and Smotrich’s representatives conducted a tour of the site.

An additional tour was held by MK Zvi Sukkot (Religous Zionist Party), who serves as chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee responsible for affairs in the West Bank.

“The launch of the development and preservation project at Herod’s Pools is part of a broader wave of activity we are leading through the Settlement Administration to strengthen our presence at and protect historic sites, while transforming them into thriving, safe, and accessible tourist destinations for hundreds of thousands of visitors,” Smotrich said.

“We are strengthening the settlements not through words, but through action, and through millions of shekels invested on the ground.”

Sukkot, echoing Smotrich’s words, calling the neglect of Herod’s Pools “an injustice,” noting that he is pleased with Smotrich’s and the Settlement Administration’s “swift response.”

“The immediate repairs now being carried out will ensure the continued flow of water and improve the safety of those who come to swim,” Sukkot said. “I call on all Israelis to come in large numbers, to hike, swim, and connect with our roots.”

Earlier this summer, the site came under international scrutiny after settlers reportedly diverted water from nearby Palestinian homes to fill the pool and turn it into a functional swimming spot.

Gov’t launches ‘Biblical Trail’ initiative

The move comes as part of a wider trend of governmental moves to promote tourism and preserve heritage sites in the West Bank.

Two weeks ago, the cornerstone of Eilon Moreh’s new “Joshua Trail” was laid, marking the first stage of the Tourism Ministry’s new Biblical Trails in Judea and Samaria initiative to develop tourism in the West Bank.

It will combine the area’s landscape and scenery with sites connected to its historical and biblical heritage.

The NIS 3.2 million tourism project will include an accessible promenade and suspension bridge connecting the Eilon Moreh Heritage Center with the summit of the Mount Kabir Nature Reserve.

The project is being jointly carried out by the Tourism and Heriage Ministries, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA), the Samaria Regional Council, the Judea and Samaria Regional Cluster and the Elon Moreh Heritage Center.

Gov't allocates funding to develop heritage sites in West Bank

In August, the steering committee approved the allocation of NIS 113 million to develop over 70 heritage sites across the West Bank as part of an initiative proposed by Smotrich.

The funding is set to advance several projects meant to strengthen tourism in the region, including the preservation of heritage sites, making them accessible to the public, rescue excavations, and the development of infrastructure.

“This is a Zionist act of the highest order. A people without a past has no future,” Smotrich said of the initiative at the time, adding that through the joint initiative, “we are advancing a historic and significant initiative to strengthen heritage sites, preserve the history of the Jewish people, and deepen our connection to the Land of Israel.”

West Bank heritage sites are a “national asset of the highest order” that have been neglected for many years, explained Smotrich. “Some of the sites did not receive sufficient investment, and we are now working to change that, to preserve, develop, and make them accessible to all Israeli citizens and visitors from around the world.”