The steering committee on Tuesday approved the allocation of NIS 113 million to develop heritage sites for over 70 heritage sites across the West Bank as part of an initiative proposed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The funding is set to advance several projects meant to strengthen tourism in the region, including the preservation of heritage sites, making them accessible to the public, rescue excavations, and the development of infrastructure.
Smotrich’s proposal follows extensive work regarding heritage sites in the West Bank done by the Defense Ministry’s Settlement Administration, in cooperation with the Finance Ministry and the Civil Administration's Archaeology Unit.
The archaeology unit is responsible for the preservation, management, and development of antiquities and archaeological sites in the West Bank, as well as preventing looting, antiquities smuggling, and illegal excavations in the region.
“This is a Zionist act of the highest order. A people without a past has no future,” said Smotrich of the initiative, adding that through the joint initiative, “we are advancing a historic and significant initiative to strengthen heritage sites, preserve the history of the Jewish people, and deepen our connection to the Land of Israel.”
West Bank home to thousands of archaeological, heritage sites
West Bank heritage sites are a “national asset of the highest order” that have been neglected for many years, explained Smotrich.
“Some of the sites did not receive sufficient investment, and we are now working to change that, to preserve, develop, and make them accessible to all Israeli citizens and visitors from around the world,” he said.
The West Bank is home to over 2,600 archaeological and heritage sites, including the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, the Qumran Caves in the Judean Desert, and Sebastia.
Several Christian and Muslim archaeological sites, including the Church of the Nativity, are also located in the West Bank.
Previous Israeli attempts to advance proposals regarding heritage and archaeological sites in the West Bank have been met with international condemnation, such as the attempt to pass a bill to form a Judea and Samaria Heritage Authority.
Gov’t approves 250m. NIS plan to preserve West Bank heritage sites
Back in May, the government approved a NIS 250 million plan to preserve heritage and antiquities sites across the West Bank, Jordan Valley, and the Judean Desert.
The plan was announced in a joint statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the Finance Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, the Heritage Ministry, and the National Missions Ministry.
New heritage centers, set to serve as research and educational facilities and visitor centers, will be constructed at sites in these areas in order to bolster “the connection of the Israeli public to the Jewish people's historic assets in the region.”
Additionally, a multi-year plan worth tens of millions of shekels would be put in motion to upgrade existing infrastructure and hopefully turn the sites into major tourist destinations.
The plan also seeks to intensify efforts to prevent the looting and destruction of antiquities in the region.
“There is a need to create a permanent, regulated civilian and tourist presence that serves as a meaningful deterrent against looting and destruction of antiquities, as well as strengthening the public's connection to the historical identity of the region,” the statement explained.