Archaeological excavations began Monday morning at the ancient Samaria National Park (Sebastia), the only surviving remnant of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and location of the biblical Israelite kings' palace. The excavations mark the beginning of efforts to preserve the site and transform it into a national park accessible to visitors, following a government decision approved two years ago led by the Ministries of Heritage, Environmental Protection, and Tourism.
The excavations at the site are being led by Uzi Greenfeld, the Samaria regional archaeologist representing the archaeology department and the Civil Administration. Greenfeld explained that this is one of Israel's most significant archaeological sites, which functioned as the capital of the Kingdom of Israel during biblical times and appears frequently in biblical texts.
Archaeological work was previously conducted at the site more than a century ago by archaeologists from Harvard University. Those excavations uncovered the western wing of the fortress of the kings of Israel from the era of Omri and Jehu, along with unprecedented artifacts that are now displayed at the Israel Museum.
A subsequent excavation was conducted at the site in 1931, involving researchers from five institutions, including Harvard University and Hebrew University. During that expedition, archaeologists discovered one of the largest theaters in the region, constructed by Herod during the Second Temple period. The site also contains locations sacred to Christianity, including the tomb of John the Baptist.
The current excavation work, which begins at the ancient city gate, is expected to expand in the coming months toward the location of the ancient Israelite royal palace.
Yossi Dagan, head of the Samaria Regional Council, welcomed the start of the excavations, "This is a historic day. No people has a connection to their homeland stronger than the people of Israel to the Land of Israel. When digging in ancient Samaria, you are touching the Bible with your hands. Living in Samaria is not just a right, it's also a duty to protect the most sacred biblical sites – the cradle of the Jewish people's homeland, the cradle of human civilization. Against the barbarism of the Palestinian Authority, we are saving the sacred places and will not rest until ancient Samaria fulfills its destiny, and the national park operates fully as a site welcoming visitors."

Tourism Minister Haim Katz said, "I welcome the beginning of work at Sebastia, following a dedicated government decision that we promoted with a budget of approximately 32 million shekels ($9 million) to rehabilitate the historic site. The Tourism Ministry's policy is to nurture the history of the Jewish people rooted in Judea and Samaria, and to realize the tourism potential in the land of the Bible."
Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu said, "Sebastia is one of the most important sites in our national and historical heritage. The establishment of the Samaria National Park at the site represents a significant step in preserving the Jewish and cultural heritage of the Land of Israel. The works are being implemented as part of the government's decision with a total budget of 32 million shekels ($9 million). We intend to invest considerable resources to uncover the historical treasures buried here and make them accessible to the general public. Our goal is to breathe new life into the site and transform it into a destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, which will strengthen the connection between the people and their heritage and land."
Minister of Environmental Protection Idit Silman said, "Today, historical justice is finally taking place. We have begun excavations at the Sebastia site – the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Israel and a beating heart of Jewish history. For years, they tried to erase our connection to the place, deny our identity, blur the obvious. But there is no Palestinian people and therefore no Palestinian heritage sites. There is a Jewish people, there is Jewish history, and we have a mission to preserve it, expose it, and pass it on to future generations. We will continue to invest resources here through the Nature and Parks Authority – and ensure that Sebastia is not forgotten, but shines anew."