Violation: Setting up a tent in an Archeological site.

Location: Sebastiya village / Nablus governorate.

Date: 24/9/2019.

Perpetrator: Settlers protected by the occupation forces.

Victims: People of Sebastiya.

Description:

Tuesday , September 24,2019 , the Israeli occupation forces set up tent in an archeological area in Sabastiya , north west Nablus.

Municipality head, Mohammad ‘Azem said that “a massive army forces accompanied by a vehicle from the civil administration raided the area , set up a tent and raised Israeli flags, preparing for settlers celebration of Jewish festivals  .”

‘Azem asserted:

“Tuesday, military machineries and settlers busses and cars raided the archeological area in the village, they closed up the area and prohibited Palestinians from approaching the location, after an Israeli soldier took down the Palestinian flag up the hell , and set up  a tent in the Roman Theatre for settlers to celebrate Jewish Festivals.”

Noteworthy, Sebastiya contains several archeological and historical sites , it is also a home for The Sebastiya annual festival for culture and Heritage, it also contains several remains , such as the roman theatre, Augustus temple ,John the Baptize Church, the Basilica, the roman towers , the towers path , earliest remains were found 3000 BC, its most significant remains are:

• Towers on the roman city wall.
• Towers path.
• The Forum market.
• Herod’s Palace.
• Ivory palace.
• John the Baptize church.
• And many other remains still to be discovered.

About Sabastiya village:[1]

12 kilometer north west Nablus, Sabastiya is surrounded by Burqa (north), al-Mas'udiya (west), Nisf Jubeil (east), Naqoura and Deir Sharaf (south).

Sabastia has a total population of 3205 according to statistics conducted in 2017. It has a total area of 16,225 dunums. of which 521 dunums are a built-up area of the village.

According to Oslo accords, the area is divided to three parts:

• Area A : (8942) dunums.

• Area B : (4980) dunums.

• Area C : (2303) dunums.

[1] GIS-LRC

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