Ancient Solomon's Pools Spark Modern Dispute Over Heritage and Jurisdiction

Constructed over two millennia ago to provide water for Jerusalem, the ancient site known as Solomon's Pools has become the focal point of a contemporary political contention. Officials from the nearby Israeli community of Efrat contend that the Palestinian Authority has permitted the historical site to fall into disrepair since its jurisdiction transferred to Ramallah following the 1993 Oslo Accords.

Historical Significance and Infrastructure

Most archaeological experts date the origin of Solomon's Pools, a complex of three ancient reservoirs situated between Efrat and Bethlehem, south of Israel's capital, to the Hasmonean period in the second century B.C. These reservoirs were specifically engineered to supply water to Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. Later, Herod the Great, who reigned from 37–4 B.C., expanded this sophisticated system to also provide water to his formidable palace-fortress at Herodium.

The three reservoirs combined can hold approximately 288,000 cubic meters of water, equivalent to more than 10 million cubic feet. They receive water from the Arrub and el-Biyar aqueducts, which, along with rainwater, historically ensured a year-round water supply for Jerusalem. During the era of the British Mandate, the pools underwent substantial renovations and gained renown as "Jerusalem's beach," a status they maintained until the implementation of the Oslo Accords.

Jurisdictional Complexities and Allegations of Neglect

The Oslo Accords partitioned the West Bank into distinct administrative zones: Areas A, B, and C. Solomon's Pools are located within Area A, a territory designated for Palestinian civil and security control. However, according to an Efrat official, during the initial mapping processes, the designation "Solomon's Pools" remained within Area C on broader maps, while the reservoirs themselves were ultimately, and he suggests mistakenly, placed within Area A.

According to Shlomo Marcus, an Efrat official, the condition of the site worsened significantly under Palestinian Authority administration. "When you visit today, you can see that the place is neglected. Much of it has been destroyed. There are signs everywhere in Arabic stating that swimming is not permitted because the pools are filled with sewage water," Marcus stated. He further claimed that the sewage contamination was not naturally occurring, alleging that wastewater was deliberately redirected into the pools, replacing the fresh water that had flowed there prior to the Oslo Accords. This, he noted, occurred despite the PLO's commitment under the agreement to safeguard historical sites located in Area A.

Marcus emphasized the broader objective: "Our main goal is to protect these magnificent pools. It's not just about Jewish history; it's about Judeo-Christian history and whoever believes in the people of the Bible who walked here." He characterized the reservoirs as the largest archaeological pools in Israel, highlighting their strategic placement along Route 60, known as the Biblical Highway, situated between the Western Wall and the Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs.

Despite the pools' location in Area A, Marcus clarified that visits by Israelis are only possible through coordinated tours secured by the IDF's Judea and Samaria Division, as stipulated by the Oslo Accords. He pointed out that visits by high-ranking Israeli officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have spurred positive changes. Following these visits, the Palestinian Authority reportedly cleared approximately 200 bags of refuse from the site, addressing years of accumulated neglect. "If the pressure of our coming here is going to make them take care of the site, then wonderful. In the end, our goal is for it to be preserved," Marcus added.

Conflicting Perspectives and Calls for Policy Change

Ahmad Fattouh, a spokesperson for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction, dismissed these allegations. Fattouh also accused Israeli officials of leveraging the issue as a pretext to assert control over the site. He cited Smotrich's visit as evidence that the pools were not entirely dry, contrary to some assertions made by Efrat officials.

Yishai Fleisher, the international spokesman for Hebron, likened the pools to a rediscovered element of the Jewish Temple, given their role in supplying Jerusalem with water for approximately 2,000 years. Fleisher suggested that preserving the site necessitates attracting visitors, producing educational videos, improving accessibility via the new road from northern Efrat, hosting senior Israeli officials, and establishing a continuous presence through cameras, patrols, and agricultural initiatives.

Fleisher, a prominent voice within the Israeli right-wing, advocated for a significant shift in policy. He asserted, "What we really have to do is dismantle the P.A. and assert sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. In the meantime, the line should be redrawn so that Solomon's Pools, which are essentially archaeological sites, are placed under Israeli control in Area C."