(SeaPRwire) –
By: Gavin Thorne
Solomon’s Pools, ancient structures built over 2,000 years ago to supply water to Jerusalem, have become a focal point of a fierce political dispute. Israeli town Efrat’s officials accuse the Palestinian Authority of letting the historic site deteriorate. These three reservoirs, dating back to the Hasmonean period, were meant to be under Israeli control, but a mapping error placed them in Area A, under Palestinian civil and security control.
Efrat’s mayor Dovi Shefler argues Solomon’s Pools are key to Israeli sovereignty and tourism. Chief of staff Yonatan Marcus says under Palestinian rule, the site is neglected. Garbage piles up, sewage is dumped in, replacing fresh water. Palestinian spokesman Ahmad Fattouh counters, blaming Israeli locals for diverting springs. He claims the PA has restored the site.
Yishai Fleisher, an influential Israeli right voice, calls for dismantling the PA and placing Solomon’s Pools under Israeli control. The dispute highlights deeper tensions over biblical heritage and territorial control. The pools, strategic between Jerusalem and Hebron, are caught in a jurisdictional tug-of-war with historical and modern political stakes. This isn’t just about a site; it’s a symbol of competing claims to the land’s biblical past and present sovereignty. The battle continues, with both sides holding firm on their narratives, ensuring Solomon’s Pools remain a charged flashpoint in the Holy Land’s ongoing struggles.
Author bio: Gavin Thorne, investigative journalist specializing in Middle East geopolitical conflicts and historical site disputes.