The ministry clarified that the phenomenon is purely scientific.
A rare natural phenomenon that turned the waters of the Sea of Galilee red in northern Israel sparked concerns among Jewish communities, with many citing biblical references related to similar events during the time of Pharaoh.
The Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake situated near the intersection of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Israel, developed multiple red patches on its surface.
According to the Israeli Health Ministry, the discoloration was caused by the overgrowth of a green algae species known as Botryococcus braunii. This species, when exposed to extreme sunlight, produces red pigments that change the water’s appearance.
The ministry clarified that the phenomenon is purely scientific and assured Israeli settlers that the water is non-toxic, safe for swimming, and does not pose any allergic risks.
Despite the scientific explanation, the unusual sight stirred deep concern among religious communities due to the lake’s spiritual significance in Judaism.
Many Jews drew parallels with biblical passages, especially the account of God turning water into blood as a sign to Pharaoh, a narrative seen by some as a ‘bad omen.’
On social media, several users of the Jewish faith shared a verse from the Book of Exodus:“Then the second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man; and every living creature in the sea died.”
The Sea of Galilee also holds religious importance for Muslims and Christians. According to Islamic Hadith, the lake is prophesied to dry up as a sign that the Day of Judgment is near.
For Christians, the sea is revered as the place where Jesus Christ spent much of his time.
Some social media users interpreted the red waters as a symbolic reflection of the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, suggesting that nature itself mirrors Israel’s brutality.
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