Background

A water tower is a structure on top of which is a water tank. Water towers are usually built in a high place, or they themselves are higher than their surroundings, this in order to allow the water to flow through the force of gravity, so that the need for pumps is unnecessary.

The water towers are usually in the form of a cylinder , and stand on pillars , but there are also other shapes, such as the water tower in Ramat Gan Click for a larger image

Water towers were an integral part of the settlements in Israel, and usually among the first buildings built were the water tower

Today, the use of most water towers has been replaced by pumps, but the buildings generally remain because of their historical value, some of them have become museums , and many are still used today as part of the symbol of the settlement where they are located: Kfar Yehoshua , Kfar Haim and many others.

Water towers as guard and signaling posts
In view of their strategic location, water towers were used as guard and signaling positions, mainly in the use of " Haganah". Signaling is done using mirrors and flags. For example, in Tel Aviv, the central signaling station of the Haganah operated in the water tower on Maze Street , so did the water tower on Azar Street in Holon and more in many places.
The water tower was usually the highest point in isolated settlements, in light of this, it was chosen as a guard and observation post, for example the water and security tower in Gadara , the water tower in Hadera and many more.

Since the water towers were the most prominent point in many settlements, they were the target of attacks and bombings, especially during Israel’s War of Independence. Water towers pierced with bullets are found in Yad Mordechai , and Negba