The Israeli parliament has passed one of three votes on the Heritage Authority in Judea and Samaria Bill. The bill would bring management of Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader-era sites under Israeli ministry of heritage management. It would allow expropriation and purchase of real estate in the West Bank.
The bill drew criticism from Palestinians and Israeli rights groups. Management of some ancient sites would change from current oversight. Plans to seize 1,800 dunams at Sebastia took place in 2025.
The site contains ruins from the 9th-century BC Israelite kingdom along with later periods. It holds a tentative list status for Unesco world heritage. Israeli parliament member Zvi Sukkot advanced the bill.
