[Based on an article originally published by the Yesha Council, translated and edited by Hillel Fendel]
If you've not yet gotten to visit the Ancient Samaria National Park, you've never seen archaeological beauty in your life. On proud display there are findings from the ancient city of Shomron, which served as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel (as opposed to Judea), and the glorious remains of the town of Sebastia. The tall round basilica pillars standing there amid the other findings have become the unchallenged trademark of the site – a national heritage site of the State of Israel.
However: Over the past year, the Palestinian Authority has declared the site its own! It announced that Sebastia is the most important historical "Palestinian" site in its territory. It has even listed the site as a World Heritage Site of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, totally ignoring the city's Jewish past. The PA has also begun massive development at and around the site, causing damage to the archaeological treasures there. The works underway are of course in direct violation of the Oslo Agreements, which stipulate the preservation of historic and religious sites, as well as coordination with Israel.
Israeli hikers to the site earlier this month discovered that over the course of at least a week, the PA had been carrying out illegal construction works at the entrance. Residents of the nearby Arab village had started preparatory works for the paving of a parking lot, putting up light poles, and building a new entrance gate. Everything indicates that they are planning to charge visitors an entrance fee. The planned parking lot is part of the Israeli national heritage site, and though it is physically in Area B (PA civil control, Israeli military control), such works must be coordinated with, and authorized by, Israel. It goes without saying that the workers at the site had no such papers or permits.
This specific case is just a small example of the PA's futile attempt to systematically take over Israeli territory and expand its own. They have succeeded in taking over small parts of Area C (full Israeli control), with the shameful cooperation of the European Union. The more they step up their efforts, the more we must publicize them, with the objective of stopping them once and for all.
This past May, the Center for the Protection of Israeli Antiquities published a pamphlet entitled, "Endangered Heritage Sites in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley." Signed by well-known archaeologists and researchers such as Prof. Zev Safrai, Prof. Zohar Amar, Prof. David Ben-Shlomo, Dr. Gavriel Barkai, and others, it lists tens of sites that require restoration, preservation and development. The pamphlet was submitted to the government as the basis for a five-year plan to rehabilitate and "return" to us the endangered sites. The list does not include dozens of sites of great importance whose land status has statutory issues, nor does it include antiquities sites located in Areas A (full PA control) and B.
The pamphlet states that Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley feature precious archaeological assets of Israeli and world history and heritage: "These sites are currently under the threat of immediate loss, and suffer from comprehensive damage, if not outright destruction – due to the PA's unauthorized use of heavy mechanical equipment and to widespread antiquities robbery."
The daily-perpetrated damage is irreversible, the pamphlet explains: "To stop this historic loss, the sites must be immediately protected against additional damage; the robbery must be stopped, that which can be repaired must be repaired, and the sites must be preserved and developed for the sake of future generations. This important mission is the responsibility of the State of Israel."
The pamphlet authors are 100% correct. The State of Israel is primarily responsible for all of the above. NGO's and associations can do much to raise public awareness, but on the bottom line, the orders to "Stop the Destruction!" must come only from the Knesset and the government. The State of Israel must show that it cares about its historic and cultural treasures and is willing to invest efforts for years to come. Simply to call them "national historic sites" is not sufficient.
Most unfortunately, the State of Israel has been dragging its feet on this matter for years. It appears that our government has not sufficiently recognized our legacy and heritage, leaving a vacuum for the PA to fill. Eitan Melet, of the "Preserving Eternity" organization, said it clearly: "The reality has repeatedly proven itself: The vacuum left by our government is filled by foreign and hostile entities. If we don't respect our cultural values, they will be lost forever." The PA is not waiting for us, and has already included Sebastia on its list of heritage sites, with no reference to its rich Jewish past.
The time has long come for us to get to work, and enact the already-existing plans to save and preserve our precious historic sites. This must be placed atop our list of priorities. As cited in the foreword to the above pamphlet, the prominent Israeli statesman Yigal Alon once said, "A nation that does not know its past – its present is dull, and its future is uncertain."
Get involved today and contact the relevant government ministers: Zev Elkin <zelkin@knesset.gov.il> and Miri Regev <mregev@knesset.gov.il>. Their offices can also be reached at <Hofesh-meida.jermoreshet@pmo.