Qalqilya: The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission has raised concerns about recent actions taken by Israeli occupation authorities, highlighting the potential for these measures to lead to functional control over Palestinian land. The notices, labeled as "Declaration of an Archaeological Site and Designation of Its Boundaries," do not directly seize land but impose stringent restrictions on its use.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the Commission explained that these notices are grounded in Article 9(b) of the Antiquities Law No. 51 of 1966. They are intended to outline the boundaries of areas deemed archaeological sites by the occupation. Although these notices are not direct orders for land confiscation, the Commission stressed their significant impact on the rights and autonomy of landowners.
The Commission further detailed that once land is designated as part of an archaeological site, its use requires the approval of the archaeology officer from the occupation's "Civil Administration." This designation can lead to the issuance of stop-work orders, demolition orders, and restrictions on land use.
Recently, a significant number of these notices have been distributed across the Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Jenin governorates, broadening the scope of land under Israeli administrative and planning control under the guise of archaeological preservation.
The Commission emphasized that while these measures do not mean automatic land confiscation, they act as archaeological declarations that impose severe limitations on land use. These actions are part of the ongoing imposition of regulations on Palestinian lands, restricting owners' abilities to utilize or develop their properties and reinforcing control over large areas of the West Bank.