Press Release: Interim conclusions from the discussion of the objections to the development plans of Tel Shiloh (Khirbet Seilun)
On Monday, August 11 a hearing was held by the planning committee of the Civil Administration regarding a program to build a tourism center at the archaeological site of Tel Shiloh. Apart from members of the committee, the hearing was attended by members of the Binyamin Regional Council, residents of Kariyut, and Emek Shaveh staff.
It appears that several problems are inhibiting the plan’s approval. Our understanding is that the committee members were responsive to our arguments that illegal on-site work was done, and that approving the plan would be tantamount to rewarding criminals. We believe that planning problems identified by the Archaeological Department of the West Bank present another obstacle to the plan’s approval. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the committee will accept our claims and the plan may be approved. If this is the case, we will be forced to turn to the Supreme Court on the grounds that the planning process is illegal.
The rare appearance of the Binyamin Regional Council chairman at the hearing seems to indicate the importance of the plan to the Council as well as the fact that a great deal of funding promised to the Council is not being used because the work has been halted. Until now, about 20 million NIS has been invested in Tel Shilo, and we believe that the entire plan could cost at least twice that amount.
Residents of the village Kariyut claimed the right to access their lands, but the planning committee did not accept their arguments given they failed to show ownership documents. However, there was no dispute that in the past, the lands of the archeological tel belonged to Kariyut and that the village mosque on the site was still in use until the late 1970s.
For more information about the new archaeological park and its political meaning, please click here.
To read Emek Shaveh’s report on Tel Shiloh (Khirbet Seilun) click here.
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