Israel accused of weaponising archaeology at ancient West Bank sites
Palestinian landowners in the occupied West Bank are facing land expropriation by Israeli authorities, who claim the move is intended to develop the ancient site of Sebastia into a national park. Residents and activists argue the move is a political effort to sever Palestinian ties to the historic site.
Why it matters
The case highlights the ongoing tensions regarding land rights, cultural heritage, and the use of archaeology as a tool in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Image source, Reuters By Sebastian Usher , Global affairs correspondent , Reporting from Sebastia, occupied West Bank and Callum Tulley , Reporting from Sebastia, occupied West Bank Published 9 August 2026, 00:43 BST Up in the hills above the Roman columns of the ancient site of Sebastia, in the occupied West Bank, are olive fields that have been cultivated for generations by Palestinian families.
One of the landowners, Abu Mudif, says he has received notification that his land is part of a tranche of about 450 acres that the Israeli authorities are taking possession of in order, they say, to protect and develop the site for a major new national park.
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