Israeli Knesset Advances Bill Creating Judea And Samaria Antiquities Authority In West Bank

The Israeli Knesset advanced a bill that would expand government control over antiquities, heritage sites and archaeology in the West Bank, with the plenum approving the measure in its first reading after midnight Monday.

“Occupied West Bank: The Knesset approves a bill placing heritage sites under direct Israeli control”

Anadolu Ajansı

Haaretz reported that the Knesset “advanced a bill that would significantly expand government control over antiquities, heritage sites and archaeology in the West Bank,” tying the legislative push to the Israeli parliament’s overnight action on Tuesday.

Anadolu Ajansı

WAFA said the bill would establish a “Judea and Samaria Antiquities Authority” under the Israeli Minister of Heritage, and would transfer powers currently held by an “Archaeology Officer” to make the new authority the “exclusive authority” for heritage and antiquities affairs in areas classified as B and C.

WAFA also said the bill received support from 23 Knesset members and opposition from 14, and would be referred to the Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee ahead of second and third readings.

An Israeli human rights organization, Emek Shaveh, said the bill “does not protect antiquities but rather turns heritage into a political tool used against Palestinians and to advance annexation plans,” according to Yaffa News Network.

WAFA similarly framed Emek Shaveh’s position by saying the organization stressed that the bill “does not protect antiquities, but rather turns heritage and archaeology into a political tool used against Palestinians and to advance annexation plans.”

Haaretz

Yaffa News Network reported that the bill would grant broad powers including land seizure, management of archaeological excavations, and enforcement of antiquities-related laws in Areas B and C, and that it would transfer authority from the “Antiquities Officer” appointed by the Israeli Civil Administration.

The same source added that previous committee discussions in February indicated the bill also includes plans to expand the authority’s mandate to include the Gaza Strip, with a possible renaming to the “Judea, Samaria and Gaza Antiquities Authority.”

The bill’s next steps are set in the legislative process, with Yaffa News Network saying it would be forwarded to the Education, Culture and Sports Committee for preparation ahead of its second and third readings.

“Creating new perspectives since 2009 May 12, 2026 at 12:58 pm General view of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem”

Middle East Monitor

WAFA said the Knesset plenum approved the bill in its first reading after midnight Monday and that it would be referred to the Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee ahead of second and third readings.

Yaffa News Network reported that one clause grants the authority powers over nature reserves under Israeli military orders in force in the West Bank and Gaza, giving it precedence over any other body.

In a related context, Anadolu Ajansı reported that the text still must be approved in the second and third readings before it takes effect, while also describing the bill as establishing the state’s direct responsibility for the management of antiquities, heritage, and archaeological sites in the occupied West Bank.