In recent years, the sea surrounding the Middle East has turned red multiple times, with various reasons being attributed to this phenomenon. Some attribute it to abnormal climate conditions or harmful algae, while others see it as an ominous sign. In August, the water of the Sea of Galilee in Israel suddenly and mysteriously turned a bright red, causing unease among some people who considered it a warning from God.
Many Israelis and tourists in the area were shocked to see the deep red waters of the Sea of Galilee rushing towards the shore, prompting some to make connections to the account in the Bible of the Nile River turning into blood. This sight sparked discussions on social media, with many referring to it as a “sign of the apocalypse.”
The Israeli Ministry of Environment stated that the color change in the lake was due to the excessive proliferation of green algae, causing the natural pigments produced by them to turn red under intense sunlight. They assured that they will continue monitoring and tracking the water quality and ecosystem of the important Israeli lake, the Sea of Galilee, to ensure its safety for all purposes.
The Kinneret Research Laboratory in Israel confirmed through measurements that the algae causing the color change were harmless, and there have been no reports of health risks or allergies among people who came into contact with it. Officials emphasized that despite the unsettling appearance, test results show that the color is harmless, and people can safely swim in it.
The laboratory identified the algae responsible for the color change as Botryococcus braunii, which is found in various aquatic environments worldwide, including freshwater and saltwater. Botryococcus braunii is a green microalga known for producing large amounts of hydrocarbons, similar to crude oil, which can be used for biofuel production.
Additionally, some have linked this event to the incident on Hormuz Island in the Persian Gulf. In March of this year, heavy rains washed bright red soil from the mountains into the seawater, dyeing the surrounding mountains, beaches, and sea in a vivid red hue, attracting many visitors to capture the unique spectacle. The cause of this phenomenon was the iron-rich soil on Hormuz Island, which altered the color of the seawater when mixed.
The Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Kinneret, is the largest freshwater lake in northern Israel, supplying about 30% of the country’s drinking water and symbolizing the nation’s survival and agricultural prosperity.
Lake Kinneret is mentioned several times in the Bible, particularly in the New Testament. It serves as a symbol of the promised land and abundance (development of fishing and agriculture). Additionally, this lake is a place of spiritual testing. Jesus performed several miracles here, including walking on water, calming the storm, feeding thousands with some bread and fish, and calling Peter, Andrew, James, and John to be his disciples.
The reason people see the red waters of the lake as an ominous sign stems from the account in the Book of Exodus in the Bible. It depicts Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, facing obstacles from the Egyptian pharaoh, which led God to inflict ten plagues on the Egyptians, eventually forcing the pharaoh to release the enslaved Israelites.
The first plague was when God commanded Moses to strike the Nile River with his staff, turning the water into blood, leading to the death of fish and making the water undrinkable. Subsequently, Egypt suffered from plagues of frogs, lice, flies, diseased livestock, boils on people, and other calamities.