Israel accused of using archaeology to expropriate West Bank land
Israeli authorities are moving to expropriate approximately 450 acres of land in the occupied West Bank to establish the Samaria national park. The plan centers on the ancient site of Sebastia, which contains archaeological remains from the Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman periods, as well as ancient Jewish history.
Palestinian residents and landowners report that the move prevents them from cultivating olive groves and accessing their ancestral lands. Critics and Palestinian officials accuse Israel of weaponizing archaeology to facilitate land seizure and territorial expansion. This follows a recent announcement by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to allocate 113 million shekels ($37 million) for the development of over 70 heritage sites in the region.
Unesco has responded by adding Sebastia to its List of World Heritage in Danger, warning that the planned national park could divide the property and threaten its historical integrity.
Entities
Bezalel Smotrich · Israel · Palestine · Sebastia · UNESCO · West Bank
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Israeli cabinet enacted a 250 million shekel ($83 million) master plan in May to strengthen connections to Jewish heritage sites. (Israeli government)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Israeli authorities are expropriating approximately 450 acres of land to develop a national park. (Israeli authorities)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the allocation of 113 million shekels ($37 million) for the development of over 70 heritage sites. (Bezalel Smotrich)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Unesco has added Sebastia to the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the planned creation of the Samaria national park. (Unesco)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Palestinian landowners report being barred from plowing or entering their fields following seizure notices. (Palestinian landowners)