Israeli authorities issued an expropriation order today (Feb. 17) to seize approximately 2,000 dunums (about 500 acres) of Palestinian land in Sebastia and Burqa, northwest of Nablus, in what amounts to the largest ever seizure of archaeologically significant land in the West Bank since 1967,
Israeli authorities issued an expropriation order today (Feb. 17) to seize approximately 2,000 dunums (about 500 acres) of Palestinian land in Sebastia and Burqa, northwest of Nablus, in what amounts to the largest ever seizure of archaeologically significant land in the West Bank since 1967, Palestinian Information Center reports.
The confiscation extends far beyond the 60-dunum acropolis visited by tourists. It includes the full archaeological site, surrounding farmland—home to roughly 3,000 ancient Roman olive trees—and key access routes used by residents.
About 3,500 Palestinian residents rely heavily on tourism and olive cultivation. The order will affect roughly 550 agricultural plots, eight homes, and several tourism and industrial facilities.
Israel plans to convert the area into “Shomron National Park,” a project geared largely toward settlers. Palestinian and international observers describe the move as using archaeology to entrench settlement expansion and advance de facto annexation.
Sebastia has been continuously inhabited for roughly 3,000 years. The site contains remains from the Iron Age, when it served as the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Israel, as well as Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman periods.
Video: Journalist Jasper Nathaniel reported from the site recently. 
posted by Satish Sharma at
15:12
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