Israeli authorities are expropriating around 450 acres of Palestinian-owned land around the ancient site of Sebastia in the occupied West Bank to create a new national park, prompting accusations from Palestinians and activists that archaeology is being used as a tool of territorial control. Landowners say they have received little or no compensation and describe the loss as devastating, while a local restaurant owner fears the plan will cut Palestinian residents off from a site with significant remains from the Jewish, Roman, Crusader and Ottoman periods. Unesco has responded by adding Sebastia to its World Heritage List and its List of World Heritage in Danger, citing the risk that the planned "Samaria" national park could divide the property.

The site straddles Area B, under Palestinian civil and Israeli security control, and Area C, under full Israeli control, complicating access and jurisdiction. Israel recently allocated around 113 million shekels (£27.8m) to expand its control over archaeological sites in the West Bank, including some in Palestinian Authority-administered areas. Alon Arad, an Israeli activist who heads the heritage group Emek Shaveh, accused the authorities of bypassing consultation with the local municipality and residents, arguing that any development should benefit the Palestinian community that lives there.