PA Tourism Ministry: Herod was a Palestinian

The PA is politicizing ancient Jewish and Hasmonean heritage by recasting it as part of a "Palestinian narrative" and seeking international recognition for that version of history.

Archaeologist Marwan Samrat: "[The Herodion's] construction date was during the Hasmonean period. There was a group of palaces… who by the way was of Edomite origin."

Issa Zo'rob, Tourism Ministry: "Our role as the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is to raise awareness. We will initially raise awareness among the local public about the place's importance because this memory ultimately needs to live and it must be made known that these are important places that represent Palestine. Not long ago, at the beginning of this year, 2026, the site was nominated for the tentative list of World Heritage Sites under the name ‘Winter Palaces at Tel Abu Al-Alaik,' and this gives the site Palestinian legitimacy so that the site will be declared and preserved according to the Palestinian narrative."

[Official PA TV, Jericho Through Time, Oct. 26, 2026]