IDF opposes ‘West Bank and Gaza’ antiquities law: ‘Can harm us and be seen as de facto annexation’

The Israel Defense Forces says it opposes a controversial law seeking to extend Israeli civilian responsibility over antiquities in the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, which a military representative says could be seen as de facto annexation of the Strip and would cause difficulties in the West Bank.

“The IDF opposes the direct application of this law to the Gaza Strip,” says Maj. Marta Kramenko, head of the Infrastructure, Economics and Personnel Section in the Legal Adviser for Judea and Samaria (the biblical name of the West Bank), during a meeting of the Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee.

“The application of Israeli legislation on territory that is not in Israeli hands, and in particular the granting of administrative powers, management, supervision, enforcement, expropriation or collection of fees to a civilian Israeli body in relation to assets and sites located in the Strip could harm the status of the relevant military and security elements, create significant security and professional complexities for them, and be seen in the international arena as a step with characteristics of de facto annexation,” she adds.

Kramenko says the proposal runs counter to the peace plan advanced by the president of the United States.

She also reiterates that the army opposes the bill regarding the West Bank, because, if passed in its current form, it would prevail over military legislation.

If approved, the bill will change the decades-long status quo in the West Bank by establishing a civilian body to assume responsibilities currently held by the Defense Ministry, and directly affecting the Palestinians living there. It is not clear how the law will be practically applied in Gaza (the version of the bill approved in the first reading last week did not mention Gaza).

The “Judea, Samaria and Gaza Heritage Authority” would also be given the power to operate in parts of the West Bank governed by the Palestinian Authority (Areas A and B).

Critics of the bill say that it represents an unprecedented step toward annexation. Supporters of the bill also say that the legislation is about extending Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank and Gaza.

The committee has been trying to fast-track the bill to prepare it for its final votes in the plenum before becoming law, with the goal of allowing the Knesset to vote it into law before the expected proceedings to dissolve the Knesset, which could happen as early as the beginning of next week. It is not clear yet whether there will be time for the plenum to approve it.