Israel accused of weaponising archaeology at ancient West Bank sites

What the report says

BBC World News reports that Israel is moving ahead with land expropriations at several archaeological sites in the occupied West Bank, prompting criticism from Palestinian residents, Israeli activists and UNESCO. The clearest focus of the report is Sebastia, a historic site near Nablus where Palestinian families say they have received notices that around 450 acres are being taken to create and expand a national park. Local landowners and business owners say the plans threaten farmland, shops and access to the ruins, which sit amid villages under mixed Palestinian and Israeli control.

The article says UNESCO has added Sebastia to its World Heritage in Danger list, citing concern that the planned park and land seizures could divide the property. BBC reporters also note that Israel recently allocated about 113 million shekels to broaden its control over West Bank archaeological sites. A second example in the report is Herodium, near Bethlehem, where Israel has begun expropriating about 80 acres for preservation and development work.

Israeli officials and supporters of the projects argue that the sites are historically significant and require protection. The report also cites critics, including the Israeli group Emek Shaveh and Peace Now, who say archaeology is being used to strengthen Israeli control and settlement-related interests. The issue matters because it sits at the intersection of heritage preservation, land ownership, and the broader political dispute over the West Bank.