Defense Minister Yoav Galant announced a policy change in the Ministry of Defense, under which the Ministry will work actively to prevent damage to archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria.
In response to the letter of Member of Knesset Limor Son Har Melech (Otzma Yehudit), in which she warned of the Palestinian Authority's intention to build a neighborhood of dozens of lots on the site of the Yehoshua Altar site on Mount Ibal, which was exposed by the "Fight for Every Donum" forum, Galant announced that the security system would act Zero tolerance for any damage to the site.
"Any damage to an archaeological site whatsoever is contrary to the interim agreements", Galant, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
"The security system will show no tolerance for damage to archaeological sites in Israel," Galant wrote. "Any damage to any archaeological site is against the interim agreements, international law, and our moral obligation to preserve the values of the country's heritage and history."
Galant clarified specifically regarding Mount Ebal, that the Civil Administration officials made it clear to the Palestinian Authority that no harm will be done to the altar, which is an archaeological site of historical, cultural and religious value.
Gallant added that he instructed the center's command to conduct frequent patrols at the site and to act to prevent any activity that could cause a risk to the site.
"As soon as such an action occurs, it will be responded to immediately and decisively, in accordance with the powers set forth in the law. The Ministry of Defense intends to convene as soon as possible a discussion regarding the safeguarding of archaeological sites in IOSH, which will be held with the participation of MK Limor Son Har Melech."
Gallant clarified specifically regarding Mount Ebal, that the Civil Administration officials made it clear to the Palestinian Authority that no harm will be done to the altar, Mount Ebal area, Photo: Yonatan Shaul
This is a significant change of direction at the level of statements on the part of the decision makers.
For many years, the authorities ignored massive damage to archaeological and historical sites in the Palestinian Territories, among other things, claiming that most of them are in Area B, under Palestinian civilian control.
The Jews were evacuated from the site
The Ibal Ridge is now empty of any Jewish presence, because about two years ago the Civil Administration cleared a Jewish farm owned by Yedidia Meshulmi, a resident of Itamar, who lived on the ridge and guarded it against the Palestinian Authority's takeover.
A few months later, they began paving the main road in the nearby village, and looted the stones of the altar wall in dozens of truckloads of archaeological remains that had been crushed for the paving.
In addition to this, the Palestinians began a massive takeover of the rest of the ridge, which included the construction of additional roads, the deployment of electricity infrastructure and the establishment of many agricultural plots.
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