Israel’s plans to establish a national park in Sebastia, an ancient town in the occupied West Bank, have sparked fears among Palestinians of annexation and erasure of their history and identity. The Israeli government has allocated millions of dollars to restore the park and establish a tourism center, new access roads, and an expanded military presence.
Palestinian residents and officials believe the plan is designed to “Judaise” Sebastia and turn it into an Israeli-only tourism site. Sebastia Mayor Mohammed Azim warned that a “river of blood will flow into the village” if construction of a military barracks begins. “The military is aiming to make life unbearable for the residents here, so they eventually surrender to reality and leave,” Azim said.
The archaeological site in Sebastia includes ruins from various periods, including the Roman and Byzantine eras, and is considered a significant cultural and historical site. However, Israeli officials focus solely on the site’s Jewish history, with Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu stating that Sebastia is “first and foremost a Jewish heritage site.”
Palestinian curator Walaa Ghazzal expressed concerns that the Israeli government’s plans will prevent Palestinians from accessing the town, its ruins, and surrounding areas. “Residents are afraid of the future, especially those near the ruins,” Ghazzal said. “The situation is very dangerous. Soon, they will prevent us from going to the archaeological site.”
Ghazzal emphasized the importance of preserving the site’s cultural continuity and criticized the Israeli government’s attempt to erase Palestinian history. “You can’t base your claim to the land on religion – civilizations are about the people who develop their identity, their works, and monuments,” Ghazzal said.
The Sebastia municipality hopes UNESCO will provide protection and add the ruins to its World Heritage list. Local business owners are already feeling the impact, with one coffee shop owner predicting devastating consequences for businesses if a military outpost is established.
Resident Ahmad Kayed vowed to resist the plans, saying, “The village will never give up on the ruins – this is our history, our life. We will fight until the end.”