Sebastia – wer kennt es noch ..

Besatzung und Enteignung macht vor nichts halt

Nachrichten zur antiken Stätte Sebastia (bei Nablus)

November 24, 2025

Aus dem Mailing vom Emek Shaveh vom 24. November 2025 In recent years, we have been closely monitoring Israel’s increasingly aggressive actions at archaeological sites across the West Bank – steps that violate international law, dramatically reshape realities on the ground and are tantamount to de facto annexation. One site we follow with particular concern is Sebastia, one of the most important archaeological sites in the West Bank and a candidate for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List for the State of Palestine. Last week, the Israeli Civil Administration announced the expropriation of approximately 1,800 dunams (some 550 privately owned plots) belonging to residents of Sebastia and the neighbouring town of Burqa. Needless to say, the settlers’ plans have nothing to do with conserving the site – if that were the case, there would be no issue at all, as the entire archaeological mound lies in Area C. Despite the administrative division between Areas B and C, the town and the site form a single historical landscape. The town itself contains impressive antiquities and together, the site and the town, constitute the rich heritage of Sebastia. The settlers’ plan to separate the town from the site includes paving a new access road entirely within Area C, through which Israelis would reach the site; building a visitors’ center; fencing the site; and charging entry fees – similar to what has been done at Herodium. These steps would effectively sever the site from the town and from the community to which it has belonged for generations. Following the expropriation announcement, an emergency meeting was held yesterday in Sebastia. Residents reported that the expropriation will severely restrict access to agricultural lands and could lead to the loss of roughly 3,000 olive trees, some of them centuries old. This development comes on top of a sequence of measures that began in March 2023 with the government’s plan for the site, followed by the military seizure of the top of the mound – against which both residents and we submitted objections – and, of course, new excavations by the Staff Officer for Archaeology. All of these steps serve a clear objective: severing the community from the site and from its heritage. The emergency meeting on Saturday was attended by the Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, the Governor of Nablus, and the Mayor of Sebastia. Participants discussed ways to oppose the expropriation and what actions might be taken to halt it. Our Executive Director, Alon Arad, also joined the meeting and presented our expertise and understanding of the situation, as well as potential avenues for action. Residents described increasing difficulties accessing their land – difficulties that resulted in nearly 60% of the olive trees not being harvested this year, an estimated loss of around 300 tons of olives. They also reported a dramatic decline in tourism, on which many families rely for their livelihood, due to movement restrictions and army harassment, including the use of tear gas and stun grenades near visitors, and demands to shut down local businesses around the site. The expropriation marks a dramatic escalation, and we are examining how we can effectively support the residents of Sebastia in resisting this plan. We will continue to update as developments unfold. For more information see the following press release:

Emek Shaveh (Pressemitteilung vom 19. November 2025)

Ergänzung am 26. November 2025: Beitrag von David Neuhaus SJ auf Independent Catholic News, der mit diesen Zeilen endet:

„Religious leaders and people of faith and goodwill must urgently speak out to stop this action. If we remain silent in front of such an egregious decision, then more and more of the Palestinian heritage will be seized. We cannot allow the religious and cultural heritage of the Palestinians to be confiscated, violated and erased using religious texts and archaeological research. The entirety of the land we call holy is the home of Christians, Muslims, and Jews whose common heritage can be identified in the layers of history that stretch back to Biblical times. This heritage cannot be treated as the exclusive property of one group. Rather, in truly honouring this heritage, we might be able to open a future horizon of equality, justice and peace for all who treasure this heritage.“

UNESCO report: https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5718/