Palestinian Tourism Spotlights Heritage Amid Settlement Expansion

Palestinian tourism initiatives in Bethlehem and Hebron are increasingly framed as a struggle to protect land, identity, and narrative against the backdrop of escalating Israeli settlement activity and attempts to control historical sites. This was evident during the launch of World Tourism Day activities at the Pools of Solomon near Bethlehem, a site rich in history but also surrounded by settlement pressures and Israeli efforts to reframe Palestinian heritage within a Jewish or biblical narrative.

Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani Al-Hayek launched the World Tourism Day events under the slogan "How Beautiful Our Country Is," emphasizing that increased visits to archaeological and tourist sites not only boost tourism but also reinforce Palestinian presence and protect these locations from settlers' ambitions. He highlighted that choosing the Pools of Solomon underscored its historical and cultural value and the dangers it faces from occupation policies and settlement expansion.

The tour, guided by Ramzi Sal'a, included sites like the Monastery of the Sealed Nun, the Pools of Solomon, the Bethlehem Conference Palace, St. George's Church in Al-Khader, the Old City of Bethlehem, the Church of the Nativity, the Shepherd's Field Church, and Banksy's "Walled Off" hotel. In Hebron, the tour covered the Old City, the Ibrahimi Mosque, and local industries like glass and pottery manufacturing.

Artas Mayor Jamil Rabay'a stated that efforts to protect and develop the Pools of Solomon are linked to preserving Palestinian land and identity, noting settler incursions and attempts to impose temporal and spatial divisions. He expressed concern over Israeli plans to connect the site with surrounding settlements, potentially altering its historical and geographical character.

Palestinian officials are increasingly worried about Israel's expanding control over archaeological sites, particularly in Area C, and the transfer of their administration to the Israeli Antiquities Authority and the occupation army. These actions, they argue, go beyond site management to influencing the historical narrative. The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities estimates around 7,000 archaeological, religious, and tourist sites in the West Bank, with many in Area C facing risks of isolation, expropriation, and restricted access.

Jibril Rajoub, Director General of Tourism and Antiquities in Hebron, warned that thousands of sites are vulnerable to expropriation orders, potentially severing the connection between Palestinians and their heritage. He mentioned that over 1,400 sites in Area C are classified as Israeli archaeological sites by the "Civil Administration," raising fears that this classification is used as a pretext for land confiscation. The Palestinian Authority is working with international bodies like UNESCO to counter these measures.

Israeli Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu has called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to assert Israeli jurisdiction over the Pools of Solomon, viewing the Palestinian tourism event as non-innocent and linking the site to Israeli narratives. He also announced a 10 million shekel allocation for the site's preservation, contingent on asserting Israeli sovereignty.

Samir Hazboun, Chairman of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry, urged Palestinians from within Israel to visit Bethlehem and its historical sites, emphasizing that internal tourism supports the sector, fosters connection, and helps preserve heritage. He noted that Bethlehem Governorate, home to over 250,000 Palestinians, is surrounded by 16 settlements and 16 outposts housing over 100,000 settlers.