Anti-settlement group Peace Now says seizure of 180 hectares including site of Sebastia would become Israel’s largest theft of archaeologically significant land.Israel plans to seize parts of a key occupied West Bank historical site, according to a government document, as settlers put up a new outpost there overnight in the latest instance of Israeli theft of Palestinian land.Thursday’s development comes as Israel faces international pressure to crack down on rampant settler violence being carried out with impunity, and often with the military’s backing, in the Palestinian territory.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listIsrael’s Civil Administration announced its intention to expropriate large swaths of Sebastia, a major Roman-era archaeological site in the occupied West Bank.Peace Now, an anti-settlement watchdog, said the site is about 1,800 dunams (180 hectares or 450 acres) – and would become Israel’s largest seizure of archaeologically significant land.The Israeli order released on November 12 lists parcels of land it intends to seize in the Sebastia area, according to the group.Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported that the intention is to confiscate the privately owned lands in the north of the occupied region with the aim of developing the archaeological site in Sebastia.Palestinian residents were given only 14 days to file their objections to the decision, the newspaper added.The capital of the ancient kingdom of Samaria is thought to be beneath the ruins of Sebastia, and Christians and Muslims believe it is where John the Baptist was buried.Israel announced …
