Full coverage· Health· Updated 12:51

Israel Health Ministry Warns Against Swimming at Herzliya Beach

The Ministry of Health issued a swimming advisory for Kochavim Beach in Herzliya on Monday, October 26, 2026, warning the public to avoid the water until further notice. The warning was prompted by abnormal microbial and microbiological findings in seawater quality tests, which raised concerns about potential health risks.

6 newsrooms · 4 languages · since 12:06

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Israel Health Ministry Warns Against Swimming at Herzliya Beach — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01The Ministry of Health issued a swimming advisory for Kochavim Beach in Herzliya on Monday, October 26, 2026.
02Water quality tests at the beach revealed abnormal microbial and microbiological contamination that exceeded safety standards.
03The public was urged to avoid swimming at Kochavim Beach until further notice due to potential health risks.
04The official swimming season in Israel had already concluded two weeks prior on October 10.
05The advisory was issued one day before a public holiday and shortly before elections.
06This is the second such warning in a month, following a similar incident at three Kinneret beaches on October 5.

The advisory comes just one day before a public holiday and shortly before elections, though the official swimming season ended two weeks prior on October 10. Currently, lifeguard services are only available at select beaches nationwide. The ministry reminded the public that swimming is permitted only at designated, officially recognized beaches.

This is the second water contamination advisory issued in Israel within a month. On October 5, a similar warning was issued for the Tzinbari, Zemah, and Gofra beaches on the Kinneret, which was lifted approximately 24 hours later after subsequent tests showed acceptable water quality.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 6 newsrooms. Updated 13:18