Israel plans to build a new national park in Sebastia, a town in the occupied West Bank. The government says the park will highlight Jewish heritage and attract tourists. Palestinians fear the project is a step toward taking over the town and erasing their history.
On May 12, Israeli ministers visited Sebastia to begin excavations. The park, called “Samaria National Park,” will focus on Jewish history. However, the area also contains ruins from Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, and Islamic times, showing a shared history of many peoples over 5,000 years.
The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the excavations prepare Sebastia for annexation and isolation. Palestinians want Sebastia to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, but the park plans threaten that goal.
Israeli Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu, who lives in a West Bank settlement, supports the project. The government has approved over $8 million to restore the site and improve infrastructure. The plan includes new roads, a military presence, and renovation of a nearby old railway station.
Residents of Sebastia fear they will be pushed out. The mayor says a military base ordered for construction on a nearby hilltop could cause violence and force people to leave. The village has seen daily military activity and at least one child was killed this year.
Local museum staff say residents are worried about losing access to the archaeological site and their homes. Graffiti of Stars of David on ancient walls signals growing control by settlers. Many believe the goal is to remove Palestinians and make the town Israeli-only.
Israeli officials call Sebastia “Samaria,” the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Israel about 3,000 years ago. But the site has long been home to many cultures and religions. The government says the park will show the city’s history from ancient Israel through Roman and Byzantine times.
Similar projects are underway elsewhere in the West Bank. Human rights groups warn that archaeology is being used to claim land and restrict Palestinian movement. More than 40,000 Palestinians were displaced by military actions last year.
Palestinian officials continue to seek international protection for Sebastia, but the future remains uncertain. The town faces pressure from expanding Israeli control under the cover of archaeology. The situation is a new challenge in the ongoing conflict over land and heritage in the region.
