Israel Threatens to Seize Ancient Solomon’s Pools Near Bethlehem

Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich announced in May 2026 that the state intends to take control of Solomon’s Pools, a Roman-era water system near Bethlehem. The threat escalated on 10 July when Israeli soldiers entered the site, deployed tear-gas, and forced Palestinian children out of the pools. The move targets a landmark classified as Area A under the 1995 Oslo Accords, where the Palestinian Authority (PA) holds civil and police jurisdiction. A February 2026 security-cabinet edict that placed Rachel’s Tomb under Israeli control set a precedent for such actions, and the upcoming October elections have intensified the pressure campaign.

The Guardian

Solomon’s Pools consist of three rectangular basins built between the second century BCE and the Ottoman period, with a combined capacity of 250,000 cubic metres. The site has served Jerusalem’s water supply for centuries and is now a recreational hub for residents of Bethlehem, Artas, and al-Khader. Under the Oslo framework, the pools were incorporated into the Bethlehem Area A zone, intended as a step toward eventual Israeli withdrawal and a Palestinian state. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition has repeatedly undermined this arrangement, expanding settlements across the West Bank and challenging the inviolability of Area A.

The Guardian

Smotrich framed the takeover as correcting a “terrible mistake” of the Oslo Accords, arguing that Palestinian stewardship has allowed the historic site to deteriorate. Israeli archaeologist Alon Arad, executive director of Emek Shaveh, echoed the view that the pools are being “weaponised” to erase the Oslo agreement. The government has also cited security and heritage arguments, with reserve Lt Col Maurice Hirsch asserting that the site holds “Jewish historical significance and importance” by virtue of its name.

The Guardian

Local activist and horticulturist Mahmoud Jaber described the pools as Bethlehem’s sole green refuge, condemning the seizure as theft. Archaeologist Eman al-Titi, head of Bethlehem’s tourism and antiquities department, warned that “archaeological sites should never become instruments of political conflict,” emphasizing that the dispute reshapes history rather than reflects the multilayered heritage of the region. Critics also note that the PA Waqf’s development plans have been hampered by Smotrich’s withholding of tax revenues, further weakening Palestinian stewardship.

The Guardian

• “This is our land,” — Bezalel Smotrich, Israeli finance minister

The Guardian

• “We are working hard to repair the terrible damage caused by the Oslo Accords disaster,” — Bezalel Smotrich

The Guardian

• “Archaeological sites should never become instruments of political conflict,” — Eman al-Titi, Bethlehem tourism chief

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• “It’s the only place now in all Bethlehem that you can find somewhere to sit and to enjoy the water, the shade, the green space – and now they are trying to steal it,” — Mahmoud Jaber, local activist

The Guardian

• “by its very name, of Jewish historical significance and importance” — Lt Col Maurice Hirsch, Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs

The Guardian