New Jewish farm established at Wadi al-Zarqa amid plans to rename springs

A Jewish settler named Rabbi Yiftach has established a new outpost called Or Benjamin at Wadi al-Zarqa, a spring-rich stream in the Ephraim Hills, and says the goal is to make the area safer for Jewish visitors. The article describes the site as a remarkable cluster of more than 60 springs, where earlier in the week the author arrived alone and noted no other Jews present.

According to the report, the new farm was set up last Monday and is described by Yiftach as a legal, coordinated farm. The location is said to be in Area B, according to the Olaman map. Yiftach traveled between the springs in a small Subaru loaded with wooden planks, and this week the plan is to give 10 springs Hebrew names. Signs about the biblical “Nahaley Gaash” and Davidic-era heroes are expected to be installed soon.

The article links Wadi al-Zarqa to the biblical “Nahaley Gaash,” cited twice in Tanakh, and suggests the name may refer to these rushing springs near the presumed burial place of Joshua son of Nun, in Timnath-serah north of Mount Gaash. It also says the Hebrew root gaash usually describes erupting, surging water rather than lava.

The report says Jewish hikers have long come to bathe there, but most of the public has not. It notes that on the previous Friday night there were clashes at the site, that nearby villagers do not welcome the Jewish farmers, and that about 20 teenagers came to help build the farm and will stay as long as needed. The article adds a standard safety disclaimer, urging visitors to follow official signs, check weather conditions, and coordinate with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority before entering nature reserves or water sites.