Israeli forces conducted a raid on Solomon's Pools on Tuesday, a Palestinian-administered tourist area, following repeated calls from Israeli officials to control the site in the occupied West Bank. Forces stormed the three reservoirs, located between the town of al-Khader and the village of Artas, south of Bethlehem. There were no arrests or injuries, the Palestine News Agency reported.
Background of the Raid
In recent weeks Israeli forces have intensified their raids on Solomon's Pools and barred Palestinian visitors from accessing the area. Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the site, which dates back to the Roman era (circa 2 B.C.), in May and allocated funding to develop and preserve it. He said that it was a “mistake” for the site to be located in Area A, which is under the administrative control of the Palestinian Authority.
Israeli Officials' Statements
Knesset member and settler activist Zvi Sukkot from the Religious Zionist party visited the site last month and called for transferring control of it to the Israeli authorities. The Palestinian Authority said actions were attempts to “impose a new colonial reality” and falsify the historical identity of the area. Solomon's Pools is not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
