The Israeli government has approved a 113 million shekel ($37 million) funding package aimed at expanding state control over more than 70 historical and archaeological sites across the occupied West Bank.
The funding was approved on Tuesday by a government steering committee and forms part of a broader effort to strengthen Israeli authority over heritage locations in the territory. It follows an earlier 250 million shekel ($83 million) plan approved in May to develop archaeological sites across the West Bank and the Jordan Valley.
According to the committee, Israel's Settlements Ministry will receive 157 million shekels ($52 million) in direct funding, alongside 142 million shekels ($47 million) in future spending commitments. Separately, Israel's Finance Committee also approved nearly 300 million shekels ($99 million) for settlement-related projects on the same day.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the initiative as an effort to preserve Jewish heritage, saying it would include the construction of visitor centres and research facilities at historical sites.
Palestinian media reported that one of the locations targeted under the plan could be Solomon's Pools, a historic site near Bethlehem that has previously been at the centre of disputes over control.
The occupied West Bank contains thousands of archaeological and cultural landmarks dating back centuries. Israel considers many of the sites part of its Jewish heritage, while Palestinians view the move as an expansion of Israeli control over occupied territory.
Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are widely regarded as illegal under international law, a position rejected by Israel. The latest funding announcement comes amid continued tensions and rising violence in the territory.
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