A Palestinian youth movement has called for the protection of Solomon's Pools in Bethlehem following a raid by Israeli settlers backed by Israeli forces.
The Solomon's Pools are located between the villages of Artas and Al-Khader, four kilometers south of Bethlehem, in a small valley surrounded by pine and cypress trees. The pools are a popular tourist destination and are considered to be a sacred site by both Muslims and Christians.
The youth movement reiterated that the settlers' raids of the Solomon's Pools violated their sanctity. "The settlers must not be allowed to raid or expropriate them," they said.
Residents of Artas and Al-Khader said that they have the exclusive right to the Solomon's Pools. "We have been taking care of these pools for centuries," they said. "We will not allow the settlers to desecrate them."
The call for protection of the Solomon's Pools comes amid a growing wave of settler violence in the occupied West Bank. In recent months, there have been a number of attacks on Palestinian property and holy sites.
The Israeli government has condemned the settler violence, but has done little to stop it. In fact, some Israeli officials have been accused of encouraging the settlers.
The protection of the Solomon's Pools is a matter of both religious and national significance. The pools are a sacred site for both Muslims and Christians, and they are also a symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation.
The Palestinian youth movement's call for protection of the Solomon's Pools is a timely reminder of the importance of this site and the need to safeguard it from further desecration.
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