A sub-headline in The Times of Israel here about tell the whole story.
US Consulate funds $750,000 restoration of 2,000-year-old Solomon’s Pools near Bethlehem with hopes of making it a tourist site.
These pools have nothing to do with Solomon, but much to do with Jerusalem’s water supply in New Testament times. I recommend you read my earlier post about this here. I am re-posting some photos of the three pools that I made in 2014.
The western pool. View to east. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
The middle pool is shown here with a view to the northwest. You can see the higher hills in the break between the trees.
The middle pool with a view to the northwest. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
The third pool (easternmost) is shown below with a view toward the west.
The third pool (eastern) is shown with a view toward the west. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
In the previous article I have several links to more detailed information about these pools and the aqueduct system that carried the water to Jerusalem.
In the earliest days of my tours we were able to visit Solomon’s Pools as we traveled between Bethlehem and Hebron. In recent years it has been more difficult to visit the pools, and we have pointed out before that they are in need of restoration.
Looking forward to the completion of this project that I am helping pay for (if you get my drift).
HT: ABR Newsletter, @go2Carl, Bible Places Blog.
Ferrell's Travel Blog 
Ferrell: Thanks for this interesting post. Taken at face value, it is undeniably good news, as this amazing, world-class site is much in need of protection and conservation.
Viewing things in context, however, it’s hard not to be cynical: What can $750,000 applied to the vast complex of Solomon’s Pools really accomplish? I mean, this is pocket change, mere crumbs thrown to the Palestinians. Considering America’s years-long funding blockade of UNESCO (and recently-announced withdrawal altogether) — mainly because the organization dared to admit Palestine as a member — it’s not hard to see where America’s lopsided loyalties truly lie, and who is pulling our strings!
All Americans should consider what else we are “helping pay for” over there: 8 to 10 milllion dollars EVERY SINGLE DAY in military aid giveaways to the State of Israel, a country already possessing by far the most robust military in the region (including nukes, still undeclared after 50+ years) and operating a burgeoning global weapons trade all it’s own.
People like to beef about “foreign aid”, when in reality — even with its excesses — it’s a minuscule fraction of the US federal budget. A more relevant issue to ponder: Is our government applying aid resources where they are truly needed, where they produce some positive good? If, alas, we have become little more than enablers of armed conflict, then shame on us!
TOM POWERS / Waynesville, NC