Silwan

Have you ever heard of Silwan? It’s a Palestinian neighborhood in East Jerusalem, just outside the Old City walls. This place has a long history, going all the way back to the Iron Age. Silwan, also known as Siloam, was a bustling village in the Holy Basin, a place of extreme religious importance. The Bible mentions the Pool of Siloam, a rock-cut pool built by King Hezekiah that was used for purification. It was even where Jesus restored the sight of a man born blind. But Silwan has been a focal point of conflict during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israelis claim Jerusalem as their capital, while Palestinians consider it their capital. Many Palestinian residents face threats of eviction and demolitions. Settlers are slowly gaining ground, turning Silwan into a center for Jewish settlement. Silwan, a place where history and faith intersect, now faces a future of uncertainty.