WEST BANK — A government steering committee approved an allocation of 113 million shekels ($37m) to develop heritage sites for more than 70 locations across the West Bank on August 4, 2026. The funding is part of a broader initiative proposed by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to preserve Jewish historical sites in the region.

On the same day, the Knesset’s Finance Committee approved close to 300 million shekels (about $99m) in direct funding and commitments to Israel’s Settlements Ministry. The Settlements Ministry is set to receive 157 million shekels ($52m) in direct funding and 142 million shekels ($47m) in commitment authorisations.

The new allocation builds on a 250 million shekel ($83m) plan approved in May aimed at claiming archaeological sites across the West Bank, the Jordan Valley, and elsewhere. The May plan was announced in a joint statement from the Prime Minister's Office, the Finance Ministry, the Tourism Ministry, the Heritage Ministry, and the National Missions Ministry.

"This is a Zionist act of the highest order. A people without a past has no future," said Smotrich.

We are advancing a historic initiative to strengthen heritage sites, preserve the history of the Jewish people, and deepen our connection to the Land of Israel, he said. He noted that some sites had not received sufficient investment in the past.

"Some of the sites did not receive sufficient investment, and we are now working to change that, to preserve, develop, and make them accessible to all Israeli citizens and visitors from around the world," he added. The funding is intended to advance projects including the preservation of heritage sites, making them accessible to the public, rescue excavations, and infrastructure development.

The proposal follows work by the Defense Ministry’s Settlement Administration, the Finance Ministry, and the Civil Administration's Archaeology Unit. The Civil Administration's Archaeology Unit is responsible for the preservation, management, and development of antiquities and archaeological sites in the West Bank, as well as preventing looting, smuggling, and illegal excavations.

New heritage centers serving as research, educational, and visitor facilities are planned for sites in the West Bank, Jordan Valley, and Judean Desert. A multi-year plan worth tens of millions of shekels aims to upgrade existing infrastructure to turn heritage sites into major tourist destinations. The plan seeks to intensify efforts to prevent the looting and destruction of antiquities in the region.

Israel designates the sites as Jewish heritage locations. The West Bank is home to over 2,600 archaeological and heritage sites, including the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, the Qumran Caves in the Judean Desert, and Sebastia. Several Christian and Muslim archaeological sites, including the Church of the Nativity, are located in the West Bank.

Palestinian media reported that the plans aim to take over Solomon’s Pools near Bethlehem. Smotrich has previously sought to bring Solomon’s Pools under Israeli control. Previous Israeli attempts to advance proposals regarding heritage and archaeological sites in the West Bank have been met with international condemnation.

About 104 settlements and 160 outposts have been approved in the occupied West Bank since 2022, according to Smotrich. More than 11,000 settler and military attacks have occurred across the West Bank so far this year, according to Palestinian media.