November 18, 2025: The Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission exposes the occupation authorities’ intent to seize a total of 1473dunums of land in Sebastia and Burqa towns, in the Nablus Governorate. This is being caried through expropriation order numbered (2/25) and targets the archaeological site in the area.
The head of the commission, Minister Mu’ayyad Sha’ban, stated that this decision constitutes a dangerous escalation within a plan that relies on “using archeology as a pretext” as a way to achieve gradual annexation. This relies on utilizing Palestinian archaeological heritage to impose Israeli sovereignty and turn it into a colonial and political tool. He also explained that this step is a part of constant legislative and legal moves through which the occupations state is aiming to impose a de facto annexation of the West Bank under the pretext of protecting archaeological sites.
Mr. Sha’ban also pointed to a bill introduced in the Knesset by right-wing members, which proposes expanding the powers of the so-called “Israel Antiquities Authority” to include West Bank territories. This constitutes a de facto annexation of these lands into the administrative and legal framework of the occupation and opens the door to a form of masked legal annexation.
He added that this escalation came after extensive governmental measures where the occupation government announced the allocation of large sums to gain control over the West Bank’s archaeological sites. It claimed the presence of 3064 Jewish heritage sites in different across the West Bank, 2452 of which are located in Area (C), which is completely under the occupation’s control.
The Minister continued, the occupation government allocated 32 million ILS back in May of 2023 to develop the hill of Sebastia as a tourist archaeological site. This step exposes a clear political project that aims to reshape the place’s identity and erase the Palestinian historical narrative to replace it with an Israeli one.
Mr. Sha’ban confirmed that this current announcement is a continuation of a series of military orders issued two months ago. These orders included 63 archaeological sites in the governorates of Nablus, Ramallah, and Salfit. This is indicative of a strategic expansion to control archaeological sites and their geographic surroundings.
Minister Mu’ayyad Sha’ban called for Palestinian, Arab, and international mobilization to challenge the expropriation order and expose the occupation’s use of cultural heritage as a legal cover to impose annexation. He also stressed the direct need to submit urgent legal objections and activate diplomatic and legal tools regarding this issue.
Mr. Sha’ban concluded by stating: Our heritage, identity, and archaeological sites are an integral part of our existence on this land. We will not allow them to be turned into tools to justify colonialism or legitimize annexation. We will continue to work, across all levels, to protect our land and cultural heritage against the occupation’s projects.