Israeli Heritage Minister Demands Sovereignty Over Solomon's Pools
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Israel's Minister of Heritage, Amichai Eliyahu, is urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend Israeli sovereignty and law to the Solomon's Pools site. The demand comes after the Palestinian Authority held an event there, prompting Eliyahu to call for an Israeli response beyond preservation efforts.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu demands Israeli sovereignty over Solomon's Pools.
- The demand follows a Palestinian Authority event at the historic site.
- Eliyahu cited the site's historical connection to Jerusalem and the Jewish people.
- He called the Palestinian event a systematic effort to appropriate heritage sites.
- The Ministry of Heritage previously pledged NIS 10 million for preservation.
Israel's Minister of Heritage, Amichai Eliyahu, has formally requested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring a proposal before the government to extend Israeli law and sovereignty to the Solomon's Pools site. Eliyahu's demand follows an official event held at the ancient water reservoir complex by the Palestinian Authority, which presented the site as a Palestinian national asset and called for increased Palestinian presence there.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, Eliyahu stated that the Palestinian event should not be viewed as a mere tourist activity, but rather as part of a systematic effort to appropriate heritage sites in Judea and Samaria and undermine their connection to the Jewish people. He argued that it is time to rectify what he called the "Oslo mistake" and establish Israeli sovereignty over Solomon's Pools.
Eliyahu emphasized the site's historical significance, noting that Solomon's Pools are part of the ancient water system that supplied Jerusalem and the Temple. He asserted that this historical connection necessitates ensuring Israeli control and responsibility over the location. The Ministry of Heritage had previously announced a NIS 10 million investment for the site's preservation and rescue.
However, Eliyahu believes that given the recent developments, preservation and public outreach efforts are insufficient. He called for an additional step, defining it as a "sovereign response," to assert Israeli control over the complex.