Solomon's Pools Dispute Deepens Over 2,000-Year-Old Site as Israelis, Palestinians Trade Water Blame
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 4
Solomon's Pools Dispute Deepens Over 2,000-Year-Old Site as Israelis, Palestinians Trade Water Blame
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 4
Summary
Solomon's Pools — three ancient reservoirs south of Jerusalem holding about 288,000 cubic meters of water — have become a fresh flashpoint over preservation and sovereignty in the West Bank.
Efrat officials say the site deteriorated after the 1993 Oslo Accords placed it in Area A under Palestinian Authority control, alleging sewage was deliberately diverted into the pools and historical protections were ignored.
Palestinian officials reject that account, accusing Israeli settlers of diverting the springs that feed the reservoirs and saying the authority has restored the site and promoted it for tourism.
Israeli visits now occur only on coordinated IDF-secured tours, and local officials say recent pressure prompted the removal of about 200 bags of garbage from the site.
The dispute reaches beyond conservation because the 2,000-year-old water system is tied to competing claims over heritage, tourism and possible future Israeli control of the area.