The Israeli government has approved a NIS 250 million plan dedicated to the preservation and development of archaeological and heritage sites in the West Bank. This financial commitment comes as coalition members work to advance a controversial bill that would shift control of antiquities in the West Bank and Gaza from military to civilian authority.
According to a joint statement from the ministries of Finance, Tourism, Heritage and Settlement, as well as the Prime Minister’s Office, the funding will be used to establish new tourism infrastructure and heritage centers, while also supporting efforts to combat vandalism and looting.
“In the year in which we will mark 60 years since the liberation of Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem, the heart of our homeland, the government of Israel is making a decision of the highest national and historical importance,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, referring to the West Bank by its biblical name. “Today we are investing in preserving our past in order to secure our future, strengthen our hold on the Land of Israel, and pass on to future generations the heritage, identity and historical truth of our people.”
Proposed Shift to Civilian Control
Parallel to the funding plan, the Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee is preparing legislation to create a “Judea, Samaria and Gaza Heritage Authority” under the Heritage Ministry. This new body would have the power to operate in parts of the West Bank governed by the Palestinian Authority, specifically Areas A and B.
If passed, the bill would end a decades-long status quo by transferring responsibilities currently held by the Defense Ministry to a civilian body. While supporters, including committee chair Zvi Sukkot of Religious Zionism, argue the move is necessary to apply Israeli law in Judea and Samaria, critics view the legislation as an unprecedented step toward annexation.
Military and Legal Opposition
The proposal has faced significant pushback from security and legal officials. During a committee meeting, Maj. Marta Kramenko, head of the Infrastructure, Economics and Personnel Section in the Legal Adviser for Judea and Samaria, stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) opposes the law’s application to the Gaza Strip. Kramenko warned that granting administrative and enforcement powers to a civilian body in the Strip could create professional and security complexities and be perceived internationally as de facto annexation.
Kramenko further noted that the bill conflicts with U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza and expressed opposition to its application in the West Bank, as it would supersede existing military legislation.
Attorney Ayala Roash of the Defense Ministry’s legal office also cautioned that the proposal contradicts the established paradigm for managing the territories by removing the authority and powers of the military commander.
Academic and International Concerns
While many archaeologists acknowledge that sites in the West Bank suffer from neglect and looting, they have raised concerns regarding the bill’s implications. Some experts argue that the new system could expose Israeli academics to funding cuts and international boycotts. Some point to interpretations of international law that restrict Israel to salvage excavations rather than academic excavations in disputed areas.
What May Happen Next
The timeline for the legislation is tight, but its future remains uncertain:
- Potential Vote: The committee intends to finalize the bill for plenum readings on Sunday, which could lead to a vote as early as Monday.
- Possible Roadblock: The bill may not reach a final vote if legislation to dissolve the Knesset, which was advanced Tuesday, is fast-tracked for passage next week.
Despite the simultaneous timing of the funding and the legislation, a Heritage Ministry spokesperson told The Times of Israel that the NIS 250 million plan is not connected to the legislative effort to establish the new heritage authority. A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office stated he did not know if a connection existed.
