Israeli settlers have been increasing their visits to the ruins of the ancient Naaran and Shahwan synagogues in the Jericho area in the West Bank and also performing rituals in them, sparking Palestinian fears about Israeli intentions for the region.

Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world, dates back more than 10,000 years. Palestinians and international tourists flock to Jericho and surrounding Jericho governorate, which are home to many archaeological sites such as Hisham’s Palace, which houses the largest mosaic painting in the Middle East, and many monasteries, including Deir Hajla and Deir Wadi Qelt. 

Iyad Hamdan, the director of the Department of Tourism and Archaeology in the city of Jericho, told Al-Monitor, “The Shahwan and Al-Dyouk [Naaran] synagogues are two archaeological sites located within the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ sites in the Jericho area and the Jordan Valley."

He added, “The archaeological sites are not a place for worship, but the settlers treat them as such and insist on performing Talmudic rituals in the synagogues. More than 50 settlers visit the two synagogues on a weekly basis.”