Israel to Spend $37 Million Taking Over Heritage Sites in the West Bank

On August 5, 2026, Israel's government approved $37 million to take control of more than 70 historical sites in the West Bank — land Israel captured in 1967 that Palestinians claim for a future state. This follows an $83 million plan from May. Finance Minister Smotrich called it "a Zionist act of the highest order." Most countries consider Israeli settlements there illegal.