The Palestinian authorities called on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) step in prevent the settlement of Israel project in archaeological excavations of Sebastia in occupied West Bank.
“We call on UNESCO agency to prevent the establishment of a settlement by the (Israeli) occupying authorities project near the village of Sebastia (north of Nablus city),” Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said at a cabinet meeting.
He warned that the Israeli settlement project will cause great damage to the historical site near the village.
Mayor of Sebastia Mohammad Azem said that the Israeli project seeks to turn the archaeological site into a park.
” project includes building road carrying out earthworks and the creation of electrical networks that will completely change the historical character of V area”, he told Anadolu.
Sebastia website ancient and a historical site that dates back back to the Hellenistic and Roman eras.
According to the newspaper Haaretz, the Israeli government approved a proposal to invest 29 million Israeli shekels (8 million US dollars) in the development of the Sebastia section for allow more settlers to get to area and to decrease Palestinians access there.
