BETHLEHEM, July 8, 2026 (WAFA) – Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani Al-Hayek, Minister of Local Government Sami Hijjawi, and Deputy Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, lawyer Anton Salman, visited the archaeological site of Solomon’s Pools in Bethlehem Governorate amid Israeli measures and practices aimed at erasing its historical and national identity.
Minister of Tourism and Antiquities affirmed that the Palestinian government continues to intensify its efforts to protect Solomon’s Pools through local and international action aimed at preserving Palestinian tangible cultural heritage and confronting Israeli occupation attempts to erase the site’s historical and national significance. He stressed that the site constitutes an integral part of the Palestinian people’s national identity.
He said the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities continues to monitor and document all violations targeting Palestinian archaeological and heritage sites and prepare periodic reports submitted to local and international bodies, foremost among them the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as part of legal and diplomatic efforts to protect Palestinian cultural heritage.
Al-Hayek said the ministry is preparing a comprehensive file to submit to UNESCO seeking to place Solomon’s Pools under the "enhanced protection" system for cultural heritage, which would provide greater international protection for the site and help counter attempts to alter its historical features and erase its Palestinian identity.
He added that the ministry has intensified efforts to encourage tourist groups and visitors to visit the site, emphasizing that Palestinian presence at archaeological sites constitutes the first line of defense for their protection, and that the continued presence of citizens there is essential to preserving and safeguarding these sites.
For his part, the Minister of Local Government stressed the importance of consolidating national efforts among various official institutions and local partners to protect and preserve Solomon’s Pools. He affirmed that the Ministry of Local Government will spare no effort in supporting initiatives and projects aimed at safeguarding the historic site and enhancing its resilience in the face of Israeli violations.
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