Knesset advances controversial West Bank antiquity bill in first reading

A controversial bill creating a new civilian authority that will be in charge of antiquities in the West Bank is approved by the Knesset plenum in the first reading.

Lawmakers vote 23-14 in favor of the bill, which aims to establish the direct responsibility of the State of Israel for antiquities, heritage sites, and archaeology in the West Bank.

Supporters of the bill claim the measure is necessary to preserve archaeological sites and artifacts in the area that are languishing due to decades of neglect, damage, and looting.

Its critics maintain that the move would amount to de facto annexation in the field of antiquities without improving the situation for archaeological and ancient sites and artifacts.

The bill will need to return to the Education, Culture and Sports committee for further deliberations before being brought back to the plenum for its second and third readings, which are generally held on the same day.