Archaeological sites across the West Bank should be included in the Israeli government's plan to rehabilitate "Israeli heritage sites" according to two members of the Israel parliament. MKs Zeev Elkin and Arieh Eldad (Likud Party and National Union Party respectively) have written to Benjamin Netanyahu on behalf of the "For the land of Israel" lobby group.

Netanyahu was told, "A large number of significant heritage sites are in the West Bank, and it is appropriate to include these heritage sites in your plan." The letter went on to urge the Israeli Prime Minister to annex such sites including the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem, Joseph's Tomb in Nablus and the tomb of prophet Samuel.

The MKs added, "These sites are the basis of our survival as a people." They emphasized the importance and need to strengthen Israeli links with the sites in question, to ensure the future of the people "returned home" after two thousand years of exile.

"For the land of Israel" lobby group is made up of 39 MKs from the right-wing bloc and Orthodox Jewish bloc. They are working together with non-parliamentary parties of settlers, including the Settlements Council, the Human Rights Organization in the settlements, the Forum of Likud Members in the West Bank settlements and the Settlers Committee.

Source: Sama