Israel approves $۳۷m to seize more than ۷۰ occupied West Bank sites

The allocated funding seeks to accelerate Israel’s control of historical landmarks across the occupied West Bank.

Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich has announced a ۱۱۳ million shekel ($۳۷m) allocation to take control of more than ۷۰ historical sites across the occupied West Bank.

The funding, approved by a government steering committee on Tuesday, builds on a ۲۵۰ million shekel ($۸۳m) plan approved in May aimed at claiming archaeological sites across the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and elsewhere.

The committee said in a statement that the Settlements Ministry is set to receive ۱۵۷ million shekels ($۵۲m) in direct funding, along with a further ۱۴۲ million shekels ($۴۷m) in commitment authorisations.

The new allocation lands on the same day that the Knesset’s Finance Committee separately approved close to ۳۰۰ million shekels (about $۹۹m) in direct funding and commitments to Israel’s Settlements Ministry.

“This is a Zionist act of the highest order. A people without a past has no future,” Smotrich said, describing plans for new visitor centres and research facilities.

Israel designates the landmarks as Jewish heritage locations, as it seeks to extend state control over Palestinian property and territory.

The occupied West Bank is home to thousands of archeological and heritage sites, some of which date back hundreds of years.

While Smotrich did not name the specific sites, Palestinian media reported that the plans aim to take over Solomon’s Pools near Bethlehem – a site Smotrich has previously sought to bring under Israeli control. About ۱۰۴ settlements and ۱۶۰ outposts have been approved in the occupied West Bank since ۲۰۲۲, according to Smotrich.

The Israeli settlements are considered illegal under international law.

Israel’s funding for illegal settlement expansion has continued amid an intensified campaign of settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, with more than ۱۱,۰۰۰ settler and military attacks across the region so far this year, according to Palestinian media.