Israel's Controversial Plan to Seize Archaeological Site in West Bank

Israel plans to seize large portions of the archaeological site of Sebastia in the West Bank, as reported by Euronews. This move, outlined in a government document, involves the appropriation of approximately 1,800 dunams, or around 450 acres, that belong to the Palestinian villages of Burqa and Sebastia.

According to the anti-settlement watchdog group Peace Now, the land is privately owned and registered in the land registry by Palestinian owners. The site of Sebastia is historically significant, believed by many to be linked to the ancient Israelite kingdom of Samaria and associated with the burial site of John the Baptist, making it a focal point for both Christian and Muslim heritage.

The site has been on UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites for the State of Palestine since 2012, underscoring its cultural importance. The Israeli government has justified the seizure under the pretense of heritage preservation, asserting that it aims to protect Jewish biblical heritage.

In 2023, more than 30 million shekels, equivalent to about 8 million dollars, were allocated to develop the site into a tourist attraction. However, human rights organizations have raised concerns that this plan will displace nearby Palestinian communities and effectively end Palestinian-led tourism at the site.

Peace Now highlighted that similar situations in other regions, like Deir Qala and Deir Samaan, have resulted in Palestinians losing access to historically significant sites now encompassed by Israeli settlements.

Furthermore, under international law governing occupied territories, public-purpose expropriations are only permissible when they serve the needs of the local population, raising legal questions about this latest development.

The seizure coincides with a broader context of escalating tensions, including the establishment of a new illegal outpost by Israeli settlers near Bethlehem. Local settler leaders have framed the expansion as a return to historically significant lands, further complicating the issue of archaeological stewardship in the region.

The international community largely considers West Bank settlements illegal, and the dynamics surrounding this site reflect ongoing disputes over heritage and identity in contested territories, revealing a complex interplay of archaeology, politics, and human rights.