Palestine Accuses Israel of Plotting to Seize 3,750 Archaeological Sites in West Bank

A Palestinian official has accused Israel of advancing plans to seize control of more than 3,750 archaeological sites in the West Bank, describing it as part of a broader policy to tighten Israeli control over cultural heritage locations and support settlement expansion. Saleh Tawafsha, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, told the official Voice of Palestine radio on Sunday that Israeli settlement organisations, with government backing, are seeking to transfer management of these sites to settlers, who have expanded their presence by establishing new outposts near several locations. The majority of the targeted sites are in Area C of the West Bank, which remains under full Israeli security and administrative control under the Oslo Accords, Tawafsha added. He described the measures as a deliberate attempt to ‘erase Palestinian historical and cultural identity and alter the historical character of archaeological and religious sites.’ Tawafsha stated that the archaeological sites are an inseparable part of Palestinian cultural heritage, adding that his ministry is documenting what it calls Israeli violations against Palestinian heritage and submitting reports to relevant United Nations bodies. There was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities regarding the allegations.