Today, the Israeli government is set to approve a historic decision to invest roughly 250 million shekels (~$85 million) in a sweeping program to rescue, preserve, and develop heritage and antiquities sites in Judea, Samaria, the Jordan Valley, and the Judean Desert. The move comes as ‘Palestinians’ continue to desecrate biblical holy sites, in shocking acts like pouring concrete over UNESCO World Heritage sites earlier this month.
Under the plan, new regional heritage centers will be established, tourism infrastructure will be developed, protection against looting and destruction of antiquities will be stepped up, and the Israeli public’s connection to the Jewish people’s historic heritage assets in the area will be strengthened.
The move is unprecedented, coming after decades of ongoing neglect of sites of paramount historical, cultural and national importance to the Jewish people.
According to the decision, the new heritage centers will serve as anchors for research, education, tourism and community development, and will include visitor centers, interactive exhibits, educational activities and partnerships with academic and research institutions.
Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said: “After many long years in which the heritage sites of the Jewish people in Judea and Samaria were neglected and sometimes even abandoned to destruction and looting, the State of Israel is making a historic correction today.”