Israeli government funds plan to turn Palestinian archaeological site into settler facility

Far-right Israeli Knesset member Zvi Sukkot has announced a new settlement project targeting the archaeological site of Fasayel Pools in the occupied Jordan Valley, through a plan to restore the site and turn it into a tourist resort and organised swimming area for settlers in the coming months. The project will receive direct government funding of 3 million shekels allocated by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. In statements published on his social media accounts and by Israeli media outlets, Sukkot said the project aims to rehabilitate the site known in Israel as Herod’s Pools. He claimed the area had suffered from neglect and vandalism, accusing Palestinians in the region of “stealing water” and causing the ancient pools to dry up. […]