Israel Is Expanding Control in West Bank Under Guise of "Heritage Preservation"

"Ramallah- On February 8, the Cabinet of Israel approved a slew of changes to further undermine Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank. While still awaiting final approval by the Knesset, the changes, according to a statement released by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, "will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state." Under the Oslo Accords, Areas A and B of the West Bank - which together comprise 40 percent of the West Bank - fall under the control of the Palestinian Authority."

"However, due to the new changes approved by the Cabinet of Israel this month, the Israeli Civil Administration, which is in charge of civil affairs in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, will now claim jurisdiction in Areas A and B under the guise of environmental and archaeological protection. Archaeological preservation of Jewish heritage in the West Bank has long been used as a justification for the assertion of Israeli sovereignty and the expansion of Israeli settlements there, which are illegal under international law."

On February 8 the Cabinet of Israel approved changes that undermine Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank, pending final Knesset approval. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated the measures "will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state." Under the Oslo Accords Areas A and B, comprising 40 percent of the West Bank, fall under Palestinian Authority control. The Israeli Civil Administration will claim jurisdiction in Areas A and B under the guise of environmental and archaeological protection. Archaeological preservation of Jewish heritage has been used to assert Israeli sovereignty and expand settlements. The measures build on a 2023 antiquities bill and propose a West Bank Heritage Authority with broader regulatory power, representing a step toward annexation.

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