The government passed a decision today (Monday) to act to preserve and develop historical heritage sites in Judea and Samaria.

Gush Etzion Regional Council Mayor, and Chairman of the Yesha Council, Shlomo Ne’eman said in response to the decision: "We thank the Minister of Heritage Amichai Eliyahu and all the members of the government who today approved such a significant budget for the development and preservation of the antiquities sites in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley."

"This is important news for our national heritage. The importance of our heritage on a national level in Judea and Samaria requires tremendous investment - we must put an end to the extensive looting and destruction that the Palestinian Authority carries out in our country. We now hope that the strengthening and development of these sites will prevent the further intentional erasure of thousands of years of our history. The development of these landmarks will connect Judea and Samaria to the entire future generation of the State of Israel," Ne'eman said.