Monument with Messianic Judaism Symbols Removed from Golan Heights Archaeological Site

Visitors to the Ein Keshatot archaeological site in the Golan Heights discovered a monument that features a hallmark of Messianic Judaism, according to Israel National News. The monument contains the Star of David and a menorah from the Jewish side and a fish symbol from the Christian side. Pastor Curt Landry, whom the report describes as a known supporter of Israel, donated it. One stone bears an engraved quote stating that the combined symbol represents friendship and brotherhood between Christianity and Judaism.

The Golan Regional Council said sculptor Sam Philipe had contacted it several months earlier about placing a statue overlooking the Sea of Galilee. According to the council, the work was erected at Ein Keshatot about two weeks before visitors found it. Philipe had previously created a statue at Ramat Trump, and the Ein Keshatot piece was planned as part of a larger installation.

Rabbi Binyamin Vulcan of Yad L’Achim said the three symbols together represent Messianic Judaism and called for the monument’s removal from a national park. Yad L’Achim, which Israel National News describes as an organization that opposes missionary activities, was the group whose request prompted the response that followed.

The reports differ on how the removal unfolded. One account states that Rabbi Uri Sadan of Moshav Nov in the southern Golan Heights acted on Vulcan’s request to remove the monument. In that version, the Golan Regional Council first covered the monument and later removed it after concerns over its theological implications were raised. The second account states that the council covered the statue immediately after inquiries about its theological meaning, and it says the statue will be moved rather than describing it as already removed.

Both reports agree on the outcome the council planned. The council intended to move the monument to another location, and it said it would do so in agreement with the sculptor and the donor.