Plan to Transform Heritage Sites in Judea and Samaria into Tourist Hubs Revealed
A budget of approximately 113 million shekels will be invested in over 70 archaeological sites across Judea and Samaria. The initiative focuses on conservation, digitization, and infrastructure development.
Approximately 113 million shekels will be invested in an extensive program for the preservation, development, and accessibility of heritage and archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria, which the steering committee is expected to approve today, Tuesday. The move, formulated by Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich in cooperation with the Archaeology Staff Officer, is intended to open dozens of sites to the general public and turn them into central hubs for tourism, education, and heritage.
The full document, which reached "Hayom", reveals that alongside conservation work, salvage excavations, and the restoration of historical buildings, the program includes an infrastructural and technological revolution. The budget will be directed to more than 70 sites throughout the region. Some will feature visitor trails, archaeological displays, visitor centers, and areas for cultural events. In addition, advanced virtual reality and augmented reality technologies will be integrated at selected sites, including Nebi Samuel, Ancient Shiloh, Sebastia, Herodium, and Tel Hebron, with the goal of illustrating life in ancient times to visitors.
Among the prominent projects in the program is the planned development of the lower site and the pool at Herodium, the restoration of the royal garden, and the reconstruction of the theater in Sebastia for heritage events. At Hyrcania and Sartaba, conservation of the fortress walls and Herodian palaces, salvage excavations, and the establishment of a heritage center will be carried out. Furthermore, infrastructure for visitors will be rehabilitated and developed at water sites and springs, including Einot Fasael, Ein Sukot, Ein Samia, and the Hasmonean aqueducts in Nahal Prat, alongside the establishment of a museum in Elon Moreh that will display findings from Mount Ebal and the surroundings, and an archaeological exhibition in the Jordan Valley.
Alongside the work in the field, the program places extensive emphasis on digitization and accessibility to the public, including the establishment of a central website that will provide information on attractions and nearby sites, an online map, the execution of organized tours, school visits, and an "Adopt a Site" initiative for community responsibility in maintaining the sites.
Minister Bezalel Smotrich defined the move as "a Zionist act of the highest order":
"A people without a past has no future. Through this joint move, we are advancing a historic and significant step to strengthen heritage sites, to preserve the history of the people of Israel, and to deepen our connection to the Land of Israel."
The minister added that for years, some of the sites did not receive sufficient investment: "The heritage sites in Judea and Samaria are a national asset of the highest order. Now we are working to change this, to preserve, develop, and make them accessible to all citizens of Israel and visitors from the world."
