The Israeli Knesset’s Education, Culture and Sports Committee approved on Monday a draft amendment to the Israeli Antiquities Authority Law for its first reading. The proposed amendment aims to transfer direct responsibility to Israel for the care of antiquities, heritage, and archaeological sites in the West Bank. Under the proposal, a new body called the “West Bank Heritage Authority” would be established under the Israeli Ministry of Heritage. It would be responsible for protecting, restoring, developing, surveying, and rescuing archaeological sites, with an estimated annual budget of no less than 30 million shekels (about $9.7 million). The Israeli Ministry of Justice requested that the draft law be returned to the ministerial committee due to its international sensitivity. The discussions also […]
