Establishing a parallel Antiquities Authority mirrors the Netanyahu–Smotrich government’s creation of the Settlement Administration, which led to another aspect of the de facto annexation of the West Bank.
On Wednesday, 6 January 2026, the Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee will discuss an amendment to the Antiquities Authority Law—“Authority of the Antiquities Authority in Judea and Samaria” (2023).
The bill, submitted by MK Amit Halevi, has been under discussion since 2023. The upcoming committee session is the latest step. The original 2023 bill proposed that the Israel Antiquities Authority operate in the West Bank.
Because of opposition from professional bodies and academics, the plan shifted to establishing a separate directorate.
- On 31 December 2025, the committee held a discussion. The chair of the Archaeological Council reiterated that the law is unnecessary. Archaeologists, academics, and students also expressed opposition.
What changed in the current proposal:
Rather than extending the Antiquities Authority’s responsibility to the West Bank, the proposal calls for an Archaeology administration under the Minister of Heritage.
Rather than extending the Antiquities Authority’s responsibility to the West Bank, the proposal calls for an Archaeology administration under the Minister of Heritage.
The directorate would be established under legislation modeled on the Antiquities Authority Law. Its director would have authority to manage antiquities, conduct excavations, oversee preservation and supervision, and declare antiquities sites in the West Bank.
Currently, the Civil Administration is responsible for antiquities in the West Bank. The Staff Officer for Archaeology oversees excavations, safeguards antiquities, and prevents damage to the site.
The bill extends the Antiquities Directorate’s authority to Areas A and B, allowing it to conduct
excavations, preservation, development, and enforcement at antiquities sites in these areas.
In 2024, the political-security cabinet directed the Civil Administration’s Staff Officer for Archaeology to implement measures to prevent the destruction of antiquities in Area B. The new proposal builds on this directive.
If enacted as written, any construction in Areas A and B would require directorate approval, as most of these areas are located on or near antiquities sites.