Palestinians decry Israeli push for control over ancient West Bank sites
Make us preferred on Google A Palestinian boy rides a scooter through archaeological remains in the ancient hamlet of Sebastia, near Nablus in the
An illustrative image related to: Palestinians decry Israeli push for control over ancient West Bank sites, highlighting key aspects of the story. | Image source: Geo News
Palestinians decry Israeli push for control over ancient West Bank sites
Make us preferred on Google A Palestinian boy rides a scooter through archaeological remains in the ancient hamlet of Sebastia, near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 4, 2026.— Reuters/File An Israeli proposal that would extend civil control over ancient sites in the West Bank has drawn disapproval from Palestinians and Israeli freedoms groups who say it is tantamount to annexation of occupied land and would expand Jewish settlements.
The "Heritage Body in Judea and Samaria" proposal passed one of three votes by Israel's legislature in May, but it is unclear whether the final vote will be held before legislature disperses ahead of an poll expected by October 27.
The proposal would bring management of Roman, Byzantine and Crusader-era sites under Israeli Government department of Heritage management and allow related "expropriation and purchase of real estate" in the West Bank, which Israel calls by its Hebrew biblical name.
That in effect would strip away supervision of some ancient sites from the Western-backed Palestinian Body, which under the 1990s Oslo calm accords has exercised limited self-rule in parts of the West Bank, territory Israel captured in a 1967 conflict.
The PA's tourism secretary, Hani Al-Hayek, stated "control over these antiquities is intended to expand control and expand settlements in these areas, deep inside Palestinian territories."
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