An ancient archaeological site containing Hasmonean-era palace ruins will open to Israeli visitors this weekend, after vandals defaced the location and destroyed artifacts, local officials announced.
Graffiti was sprayed on a 2,000-year-old ritual bath at the Hasmonean Palaces site, and looters crushed a skull believed to belong to a noble from the Hasmonean dynasty, according to the Binyamin Regional Council, which manages the area.
The Hasmonean kings ruled Judea from roughly 140 B.C.E to 37 B.C.E. Jewish tradition celebrates the dynasty’s military victory over Greek forces during Chanukkah.
The site will be open on Dec. 21-22, the final days of Chanukkah, with free admission. The Binyamin Regional Council coordinated the opening with Israeli civil and military authorities and the Israeli Heritage Ministry.
Israeli officials allocated millions of shekels to develop an access road and visitor facilities at the site, with plans to fully develop it as a heritage destination within a year.
“The hate graffiti and destruction of priceless remains are not just vandalism—they are an attack on history itself. The Hasmonean Palaces tell the story of Jewish resilience and renewal. Protecting this site means protecting our identity,” said Shuki Sat, CEO of the Binyamin Regional Council.
“The Hasmonean Palaces are among Israel’s most important historical sites, yet they have been neglected for years. We are determined to open them to the public. I call on all Israelis to visit the site during Chanukkah—to stand where the Hasmonean kings once stood, and to show that our history cannot be erased—not by hate graffiti, and not by vile looting,” said Yisrael Ganz, governor of the Binyamin Region and chairman of the Yesha Council, an umbrella group of Judea and Samaria regional councils.
The site has been largely closed to visitors for an extended period.
