US EditionIsrael announces plan to seize historical site in the West Bank as a new settlement appears
Israel plans to develop the Sebastia archaeological site and build settler infrastructure on 180 hectares, the largest land seizure for archaeology in over 30 years, watchdog Peace Now said.
- On Nov. 12, Israel's Civil Administration announced plans to expropriate 180 hectares of privately owned land in Sebastia, West Bank, to develop an archaeological site, the document obtained by the Associated Press shows.
- Israel says the area ties to biblical Samaria and began excavations after allocating more than 30 million shekels for development in 2023.
- The order covers Sebastia and neighbouring Burqa and targets parcels that rights groups say are privately owned, including tens of thousands of olive groves and bypass road plans.
- Meanwhile, settlers erected a new unauthorized outpost near Bethlehem, and Ayman Ghrayeb Odeh was detained on incitement charges, with Shin Bet confirming his hospitalization.
- Critics warn the move aims to 'Judaise' Palestinian heritage and say Israel uses antiquities to annex land, while Human Rights Watch links the seizure to expulsions of 32,000 Palestinians this year.
27 Articles
27 Articles
Israel plans to seize major Roman-era historical site in West Bank
Jerusalem: Israel plans to seize parts of a major West Bank historic site, according to a government document, and settlers put up a new outpost overnight, even as the country faces pressure to crack down on settler violence in the Palestinian territory. Israel’s Civil Administration announced its intention to expropriate large swaths of Sebastia, a major archaeological site in the West Bank, in the document obtained by The Associated Press on T…
Israel plans to seize historical site in the West Bank as a new settlement appears
Israel intends to take over significant portions of the Sebastia heritage site in the West Bank. Simultaneously, settlers have established a new unauthorized outpost near Bethlehem. These actions occur as Israel faces pressure regarding settler violence and faces accusations of war crimes for displacing thousands of Palestinians from refugee camps earlier this year.
Israel plans to seize historical site in the West Bank as a new settlement appears
Israel plans to seize parts of a major West Bank historic site and settlers have established a new outpost there, even as the country faces pressure to crack down on settler violence in the Palestinian territory. Israel’s Civil Administration says…
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