Archaeology Journal’s Restrictions Spark Outcry Over Jewish History in Judea and Samaria
A controversy has erupted following a decision by a prominent archaeology journal to effectively exclude submissions from Israeli researchers working in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), unless they have demonstrably cooperated with Palestinian authorities. Critics are decrying the move as part of a wider effort to erase or rewrite Jewish historical ties to the region, with some accusing international bodies and organizations of complicity in this campaign.
The journal in question, the Palestine Exploration Quarterly (PEQ), is published by the London-based Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF). According to a report by The Press Service of Israel (TPS-IL), the journal’s policy stems from concerns regarding alleged Israeli violations of international law in the "occupied territory." The journal’s editor-in-chief, Charlotte Whiting, confirmed to TPS-IL that PEQ’s publication guidelines are rooted in the PEF’s ethical policy, which prioritizes adherence to international law.
The PEQ‘s website explicitly states that it "does not collaborate with institutions founded by an occupying power based in any occupied territory, and will not support, encourage, fund, or publish research by any academic associated with such institutions." This policy has effectively created a barrier for Israeli archaeologists seeking to publish their findings on sites within Judea and Samaria.
Israeli archaeologists have voiced strong objections to this policy, arguing that cooperation with Palestinian authorities in the region is often impossible and could be perceived as treasonous by some. They also claim that their work is already marginalized within the broader academic community, leading many to avoid focusing on the historically and biblically significant areas of Judea and Samaria for fear of jeopardizing their careers.
Yishai Fleisher, international spokesman for Hebron, a city with deep historical and religious significance for Judaism, condemned the journal’s actions as a deliberate attempt to undermine Jewish historical connections to the Land of Israel. He outlined what he sees as three primary strategies employed to achieve this: denying any Jewish connection to the land, acknowledging a past Jewish presence but arguing that Jews no longer belong, or actively destroying historical evidence.
Fleisher highlighted instances of Palestinian authorities allegedly renaming significant Jewish historical sites, such as referring to Hebron as "Al-Khalil," the Cave of the Patriarchs as the "Ibrahimi Mosque," the Temple Mount as the "Al-Aqsa complex," and Rachel’s Tomb as the "Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque."
In response to these perceived efforts to erase Jewish history, Israeli advocates are working to preserve and highlight ancient Jewish landmarks. Fleisher cited the addition of an Israeli flag and a menorah to a building originally constructed by King Herod 2,000 years ago – which itself stands atop a 3,500-year-old tomb – as a way to assert Jewish heritage at the site.
The article points to the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to promote a revised historical narrative within international forums. The P.A., which gained non-member observer state status at the United Nations in 2012, has been accused of leveraging international organizations, such as UNESCO, to further its agenda.
In 2016, UNESCO registered the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, believed to be the burial place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives, as a "World Heritage Site in Danger" under the name of the "State of Palestine." In September 2023, UNESCO designated the Tell es-Sultan site near Jericho, containing ruins dating back to the ninth millennium BCE, as a "World Heritage Site in Palestine."
The United Nations General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution in December 2021 referring to the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site, solely by its Muslim name, "Haram al-Sharif." Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has also made controversial statements, including claiming that the Temple Mount is the "exclusive property of Muslims" and that the Koran describes the Jewish Temple as being in Yemen.
Naomi Kahn, director of the international division at Regavim, a think tank focused on Israeli sovereignty, alleged that the P.A. is actively building over key archaeological sites. She cited the construction of condominiums directly on top of ancient Jewish infrastructure at Solomon’s Pools, an area under P.A. jurisdiction according to the Oslo Accords. She also referenced the destruction of Hasmonean fortresses near Jericho, where burial grounds have been plowed for farming and construction.
Kahn also mentioned Sebastia, the ancient city of Samaria, originally founded by King Omri in the 9th century BC and later rebuilt by Herod the Great, as another site facing encroachment. She reported that Palestinian construction workers built an illegal road through Sebastia. Other sites cited as being under threat include Joshua’s Altar and Joseph’s Tomb, which is largely inaccessible to Jewish Israelis.
Sandra Hagee Parker, Chairwoman of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund, expressed her dismay but asserted her confidence in the enduring connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. She stated that the effort to deny this connection is "antisemitic and anti-Christian" and will not succeed.
Zeev Orenstein, Director of International Affairs at the Jerusalem-based City of David Foundation, emphasized that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the forerunner of the P.A., was founded on the denial of Jewish history and heritage in the Land of Israel. He argued that this denial aims to delegitimize Jewish claims to sovereignty and portray Jews as occupiers and colonizers. Orenstein also accused the Islamic Waqf of systematically destroying antiquities atop the Temple Mount and Palestinian leadership of continuing to damage and destroy Jewish heritage sites throughout Judea and Samaria.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a $33 million program in July 2023 to safeguard and rehabilitate archaeological sites in the region. He stated that archaeological finds in Judea and Samaria attest to the deep roots of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel.
Rev. Dr. Petra Heldt, professor at the Jerusalem University College and director of the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel, cited biblical texts and ongoing excavations as proof of a longstanding Jewish presence in the region. She pointed to Shiloh as a thriving example, with an active kibbutz and archaeological site where new discoveries are regularly unearthed.
Heldt called for increased international support to protect these sites, emphasizing the need to involve the media, universities, artists, filmmakers, and writers to share these stories globally.
The article concludes by emphasizing that the struggle to preserve Jewish historical sites in Judea and Samaria is a battle over narrative, legitimacy, and identity. The way to combat this, according to Fleisher, is to "build, to educate, and to assert our sovereignty" to strengthen the connection to the land and protect the truth of Jewish history.
