# UNESCO heritage push and Sebastia site dispute > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/unesco-heritage-push-in-occupied-west-bank > Updated: 2026-08-08T23:43:44.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3. On 16 July 2026, the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced that 12 additional sites were placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, bringing the total Palestinian entries to 23. The move, coordinated with Palestine’s Permanent Mission to UNESCO, was framed as a way to raise international visibility and protect cultural and natural heritage amid heightened Israeli activity and increased control over archaeological areas in the West Bank. A few days later, Israeli authorities announced plans to expropriate roughly 500 acres of privately owned Palestinian land around the ancient hilltop of Sebastia in Area C of the occupied West Bank and earmarked $10 million for its development as a tourist attraction. Simultaneously, the Palestinian Authority urged UNESCO to grant Sebastia World Heritage status, a request currently under review. The seizure sparked concern among local residents and tourism operators that access to the site—and the livelihood it supports—could be jeopardised, underscoring the growing tension between heritage preservation efforts and Israeli land-use policies in the region. By 8 August 2026, Israeli authorities proceeded with the expropriation of approximately 450 acres to establish the ‘Samaria’ (Shomron) national park. Local Palestinian landowners reported being barred from plowing ancestral olive groves, and some local businesses faced potential demolition. Critics and Palestinian officials have accused Israel of “weaponizing archaeology” to facilitate land seizure and territorial expansion. This follows an 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. In response to the development and the potential division of the property, UNESCO expressed significant concern and added Sebastia to its List of World Heritage in Danger. ## Claims - Israeli authorities are expropriating approximately 450 acres of land to develop a national park. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Palestinian landowners report being barred from plowing or entering their fields following seizure notices. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced the allocation of 113 million shekels ($37 million) for the development of over 70 heritage sites. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Unesco has added Sebastia to the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the planned creation of the Samaria national park. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Israeli cabinet enacted a 250 million shekel ($83 million) master plan in May to strengthen connections to Jewish heritage sites. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-08: Israel accused of using archaeology to expropriate West Bank land Israel is accused of using archaeological preservation as a tool for land expropriation in the West Bank, specifically targeting 450 acres near Sebastia to create a national park. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-expropriates-west-bank-land-for-sebastia-national-park ### 2026-07-21: Sebastia Heritage Site in West Bank Faces Israeli Land Seizure and UNESCO Bid Israel seized ~500 acres near Sebastia, allocating $10 million for tourism, while Palestinians seek UNESCO heritage status, sparking local fears of lost access to the historic site. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sebastia-heritage-site-in-west-bank-faces-israeli-land-seizure-and-unesco-bid ### 2026-07-16: Palestine adds 12 sites to UNESCO World Heritage tentative list Palestine’s Ministry of Tourism added 12 sites to UNESCO’s tentative heritage list, bringing its total to 23, amid increased Israeli control over West Bank archaeological areas. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/palestine-adds-12-sites-to-unesco-world-heritage-tentative-list --- Cite as: UNESCO heritage push and Sebastia site dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/unesco-heritage-push-in-occupied-west-bank