Israel accused of weaponising archaeology at ancient West Bank sites

Further to the south in the West Bank and just in sight of Jerusalem is Herodium, a manmade hill with an extraordinary palace built on its summit by King Herod, who ruled the Kingdom of Judea just before the Christian era.Recently here, too, Israel has begun to expropriate land - this time about 80 acres - for what it says is the "preservation and development" of the site.Peace Now - an Israeli organisation that monitors settlements - says: "Under international law, as well as according to rulings of the Israeli Supreme Court, Israel is prohibited from expropriating land for settlement purposes or exclusively for the benefit of Israeli citizens"."Consequently, in order for the expropriation to be considered lawful, the state will likely argue that the site is intended to serve both Palestinian and Israeli populations, despite the apparent fact that its primary rationale and purpose are linked to settlement expansion and Israeli control."Herodium is a hilltop fortress-palace close to BethlehemFor Shmuel Browns, who has worked on excavations in Herodium and leads deeply enthused guided tours, it's vital for Israeli archaeologists and officials to be able to oversee and protect places that are so freighted with historical and religious significance."Israel feels responsible to look after the archaeology, the artifacts, the history of this land," he says.But there has also been a drive to go further than this among far-right members of Israel's current government.