Bill would put West Bank museums under Israeli control

A bill that would place museums in West Bank settlements under Israeli law passed its preliminary reading.

Museums in the settlements could request government funding under the measure, which was sponsored by Uri Ariel of the National Union Party. It still must pass two more readings before it becomes law.

Ariel told the Israeli media that the bill is the first of many that would strengthen Israel’s sovereignty over the West Bank and its ability to annex the area.

The West Bank, also known as Judea and Samaria, is under Israeli military rule.

“The government of Israel does not discriminate against Israeli citizens that live in Judea and Samaria,” Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat of the Likud Party said during discussion of the bill.