PA challenges Israel's plan to ‘annex’ Palestinian archaeological sites

The Palestinian Authority is challenging Israel’s plan to “annex and transfer control” of Palestinian archaeological sites to the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The PA Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities made the call for support to its challenge in response to the Knesset approving a draft law extending the powers of the Israeli Antiquities Authority to antiquities in the occupied West Bank.

“UNESCO and all international institutions working with cultural heritage should confront the occupation government’s decision to annex and transfer control of Palestinian archaeological sites to the occupation government’s Antiquities Authority,” said the ministry. “These criminal acts aim to control Palestinian heritage and steal the cultural capabilities of our people.”

The official statement added that the Israeli occupation’s attempt to avoid its international legal responsibilities and agreements related to the protection of heritage is evidence that the “criminal occupation” seeks, within its escalatory policy, to erase Palestinian heritage, which is regarded as a witness to the right of the Palestinian people and their close connection to the land of Palestine. “The Israeli move is a clear-cut plan aimed at Judaising the Palestinian lands, empowering [illegal] settlers, and isolating Palestinian cities and villages from each other.”

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On Wednesday, the Knesset approved, with the support of the government, a draft law stipulating that the powers of the Israeli Antiquities Authority apply to antiquities in all areas of the occupied West Bank, explained the Palestinian Forum for Israeli Studies (MADAR). According to the Forum, the draft law initiated by Likud MK Amit Halevi, “did not specify which areas in the West Bank.” It described the move as one of the [occupation state’s] “creeping annexation laws.”

The Israeli Ministerial Council for Security and Political Affairs approved steps on 28 June to legalise settlement outposts and impose sanctions against the Palestinian Authority “to confront recognitions [by foreign governments] of a Palestinian state and the measures taken against Israel in international courts,” reported the Israel Broadcasting Authority. It added that among the measures are “enforcing the law in Area B against harming heritage sites and environmental risks.”

The Oslo II Agreement of 1995 divided the West Bank into three areas: “A”, which is subject to full Palestinian control; “B” is subject to Israeli security authority and Palestinian civil and Palestinian control; and “C” which is subject to Israeli civil, administrative and security control. The latter constitutes about 61 per cent of the total occupied West Bank area.

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