Hidden Destruction: Archaeological Sites in Danger in the West Bank

Recently, Palestinian bulldozers have been demolishing archaeological sites with impunity in the West Bank.

The story of the village of Auja al-Tahta was featured on Channel 2. This village was once a city named Archelais, established by Archelaus, the son of Herod, and was home to thousands.

Haggai Cohen Kalonimus, a Ph.D. candidate in archaeology at the Hebrew University, explained: "This is a large and important city in the Jordan Valley. It is a site of about 355 acres—bulldozers and tractors just dug and scavenged through it in an unimaginable manner."

According to Cohen Kalonimus, the aim of the Palestinian looters is to find and sell treasures on the antiquities market.

He claims: "Just as ISIS destroyed ancient sites in Iran and Syria, a similar situation is occurring here. It is a deliberate and systematic destruction of an archaeological site, without any authority responding. It's simply a tragedy."

Additionally, the article mentioned the area near the city of Phasaelis. This refers to an ancient city located between the Arab Fassal and the Jewish Phasael.

Archaeological work has already been carried out in this area, and a bathhouse adorned with mosaics was discovered, but it now lies abandoned and filled with garbage and looters' pits. "We are in an impossible situation," explains Cohen Kalonimus, "where these sites are excavated and then abandoned, turning into a free-for-all for anyone wanting to gain something from them. We've submitted requests, but there is just one inspector for all of Judah and Samaria to handle looting and destruction of antiquities."

He added, "The Palestinians are trying to advance a declaration of Palestinian heritage sites. Soon, they are expected to claim the Dead Sea Scrolls as part of Palestinian heritage. The State of Israel must take responsibility and protect these archaeological sites, which are part of our historical and cultural heritage."