U.S. to Fund Restoration of Israel’s Ancient Solomon Pools
- Updated Oct 11, 2017
Solomon’s Pools, three ancient reservoirs located in the West Bank near Bethlehem, which provided water to Jerusalem during Jesus’ earthly lifetime, are to be restored.
According to ChristianToday.com, the restoration project is being funded by the U.S. and will cost $750,000.
The pools were reportedly commissioned by Herod the Great and built around the time of Jesus’ birth. Some believe one of the Solomon Pools was where Jesus healed the blind man, as described in John 9:
"’Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam’ (this word means ‘Sent’). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing” (John 9:7).
The pools used to be vibrant hubs of activity in the ancient world, but have since fallen into disrepair.
The U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem is allocating the funds for the renovations in hopes that the pools will become popular tourism sites.
“This project is about more than just protecting history. It is about protecting the lives and livelihoods of the people living here today,” said U.S. Consul General Donald Blome.
Blome added that the restoration of the pools would be in keeping with President Trump’s agenda for Israel and Palestine: “[Trump] has made it clear that a necessary element for the achievement of peace would be unlocking the full potential of the Palestinian economy.”
Photo courtesy: Unsplash/Russ McCabe
Publication date: October 11, 2017
