Tourism and Antiquities: Israel Seeks Control of 142 Archaeological Sites in Hebron Governorate

 الأراضي المقدسة الخضراء / GHLands

Jabr Rajoub, Director of the Directorate of Tourism and Antiquities in Hebron Governorate, said that the Israeli government is moving forward with a plan to take control of 142 archaeological sites across the governorate by transferring their administrative authority from the military authorities and the Israel Antiquities Authority to a civilian body operating under the Israeli government.

Rajoub said the move is part of a broader policy aimed at tightening control over archaeological sites and using them to advance the settlement project. He added that settler organizations, backed by the Israeli government and supported by directives from Ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, are working to transfer the management of these sites to settlers, who have expanded their presence by establishing new settlement outposts near several of them.

He noted that among the sites settlers have recently taken control of are the Ain Far'a archaeological site and the Shrine of Prophet Saleh, located east of the town of Idhna. Their takeover followed the establishment of the settlement outpost known as "Adorayim" in the area.

Rajoub also referred to roofing and restoration work carried out about two weeks ago in the arcades of the Ibrahimi Mosque by settler organizations, with the support of the Israeli government. He said these actions are part of the same policy aimed at imposing new realities on Palestinian archaeological and religious sites.

He stressed that settler groups have been lobbying for years to secure approval for transferring administrative authority over these sites in order to accelerate efforts to Judaize and seize Palestinian archaeological sites while further consolidating settlement control through settler institutions and organizations.

According to Rajoub, most of the targeted archaeological sites in Hebron Governorate are located in Area C, which remains under Israeli control. For years, these sites have been subjected to repeated violations, including land confiscation, the establishment of settlement outposts nearby, and restrictions preventing Palestinians from accessing them. He said these measures are part of a broader policy aimed at erasing the Palestinian historical and cultural identity associated with these sites and altering their historical and religious character.