Archaeology of Annexation: What Doesn't Work by Law, Works by Money

An investigation by Sicha Mekomit reveals how the Israeli government uses archaeology and heritage budgets to promote de facto annexation of the West Bank, bypassing legal restrictions. The archaeology unit's budget surged from 13.7 million shekels in 2019 to 51.6 million in 2023, with most funds directed to developing sites for Israeli visitors rather than enforcing against antiquities theft.

An investigative report by Sicha Mekomit reveals how the Israeli government, led by ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Amichai Eliyahu, uses archaeology and heritage budgets to promote de facto annexation of the West Bank. The article describes the transfer of the archaeology unit from the Civil Administration to the Ministry of Heritage, and the surge in its budget from 13.7 million shekels in 2019 to 51.6 million in 2023. Most of the increase came from the Ministry of Heritage, which allocated about 400 million shekels for projects in the West Bank. The article cites the 'Emek Shaveh' report showing that less than a tenth of the 120 million shekels allocated to combat antiquities theft were designated for enforcement, while funds were directed to developing tourist sites for Israeli visitors. The article notes the International Court of Justice ruling from July 2024 and the UN Commission of Inquiry's 2025 determination that transferring responsibility for heritage sites to a civilian Israeli body constitutes an illegal act of annexation.