Latest news with #PEF
Pink Villa
6 days ago
- Business
- Pink Villa
Will BTS' agency chairman Bang Si Hyuk face life in prison? Inside 400 Billion KRW stock scandal shaking HYBE
South Korea's financial watchdog is intensifying its probe into HYBE (BTS label) chairman Bang Si Hyuk. Reports emerged that the Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) is preparing to formally request a criminal investigation. The matter revolves around a potentially illegal transaction from 2019. It is allegedly tied to misleading investment practices and undisclosed profit-sharing arrangements, raising serious concerns under the Capital Markets Act. The case centers on a 400 billion KRW (approximately 290 million USD) deal. It could, if proven to be fraudulent, expose the entertainment mogul to severe legal penalties, including life imprisonment. Allegations of deception in pre-IPO activities surface At the heart of the investigation is a claim that Bang Si Hyuk, prior to HYBE 's public listing, intentionally misled investors about the company's IPO plans. According to sources within the financial industry, the FSS' Investigation Department 2 has uncovered evidence. It suggests that in 2019, Bang told HYBE shareholders that there were no immediate plans to go public. This assurance reportedly led some investors to sell their shares, unaware that the company was quietly progressing toward an IPO. In reality, HYBE was taking strategic steps indicative of an imminent public offering, including applying for a designated auditor. The shares were allegedly purchased by a private equity fund (PEF) created by an associate of Bang Si Hyuk. It is an entity with which he is now believed to have had undisclosed financial ties. Secret profit-sharing agreement uncovered Further investigation by the FSS reportedly revealed that Bang had entered into a private profit-sharing agreement with the aforementioned PEF. This deal allegedly allowed Bang to personally collect around 30% of the fund's profits. This ultimately earned him an estimated 400 billion KRW through the transaction. Critically, these arrangements and financial benefits were not disclosed in HYBE's IPO registration documents. Regulators believe this lack of disclosure may qualify as fraudulent and unfair trading. Multiple authorities now involved in the investigation As the FSS prepares for its investigation, reports indicate that the agency will submit a fast-track referral to the prosecution. The fast-track mechanism is typically reserved for high-priority cases involving large-scale financial misconduct. Simultaneously, the Financial Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is also conducting a parallel investigation. The case has gained momentum months after initial media reports questioned potential irregularities surrounding HYBE's IPO. Initially treated as a disclosure-related issue, the matter has since been reclassified as a full-fledged securities fraud investigation. Legal ramifications could be severe The implications of the case are profound. If authorities confirm that the alleged profits were indeed earned through illegal means, Bang Si Hyuk could face punishment under Article 443 of the Capital Markets Act. This statute mandates a minimum sentence of five years, and in cases where unlawful profits exceed 5 billion KRW, the court may impose life imprisonment. A spokesperson for HYBE has issued a brief statement asserting that all business dealings were conducted under legal supervision and adhered to the boundaries of current laws. However, that has not eased growing scrutiny from both regulators and the public.
GMA Network
21-05-2025
- General
- GMA Network
2 rescued Philippine eagles released back into the wild in Leyte
The Philippine Eagle Foundation has released two rescued Philippine eagles, a male named Kalatungan 1 and a female named Lyra Sinabadan, back into the forest of Leyte. According to Kuya Kim's report in "24 Oras" Wednesday, their release is part of the PEF's Philippine Eagle Species Reintroduction Program. "Itong reintroduction program in Leyte ay isang importanteng component ng overall conservation program. Sa kasawiang palad, naubos na ang Philippine eagles natin sa isla ng Leyte. Naiiwasang sila ay mabaril at ma-trap sa Mindanao at makaka-establish tayo ng self-sustaining population," said PEF Director for Operations Jayson Ibañez. The PEF first released Kalatungan 1, who was rescued in a weakened state in Bukidnon in 2024 after it had been hit by a bullet. "Inalagaan sa Philippine Eagle Center, binigyan siya ng mga bitamina, ibinalik 'yung kakayahan niya to lipad, ready na," Ibañez said of Kalatungan 1. More than an hour later, Lyra Sinabadan, who was rescued on Mt. Tangkulan in Bukidnon in 2023, was released. Both eagles have GPS and VHF (radio) transmitters so they can be monitored by the PEF in their new home. "Ito pong paglagay ng radio transmitter, wala sa unang release natin at ang importansya nito, anytime gusto natin hanapin ang mga ibon, pwede natin silang makita," Ibañez added. Another Philippine eagle, a male named Lakpue, is set to be released at a later date. More information about Lakpue's release will be announced by the PEF soon. The Philippine Eagle Species Reintroduction Program was launched in 2024, which also marked the release of Philippine eagles Carlito and Uswag in Leyte. Carlito has successfully adapted to her new home, while the male Uswag had accidentally drowned in the waters off Ponson Island in Pilar, Cebu in 2024. —CDC, GMA Integrated News
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Primary pupils ask Education Minister for more maths and play time during visit to North Lanarkshire school
Jenny Gilruth MSP was in Wishaw to see how Pupil Equity Funding from the Scottish Government was benefitting young people. More play times, more school trips, more topics and somewhat surprisingly, more maths and homework were some of the suggestions from pupils when Cabinet Secretary for Education Jenny Gilruth visited St Ignatius' Primary. The MSP, a former teacher herself, met with pupils, staff and parents at the primary school in Wishaw to see and hear first-hand how the Scottish Government's Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) is benefitting children in the community. The visit coincided with the publication of a report on PEF highlighting the direct investment of over £1 billion from the Scottish Government. First introduced by the Scottish Government a decade ago, PEF has the specific aim of closing the poverty-related attainment gap between children from the most and least deprived communities. The extra funding can range from £1225 to £350,00 a year per school, and is being used to drive improvements in attendance and engagement. Around 97 per cent of schools receive some PEF which is directly allocated to schools, who then have the autonomy to use it in a manner best suited to their specific needs. St Ignatius invested the funding in developing a bespoke tracking system, which allows the school to target tailored interventions such as Forest clubs. There were dozens of raised hands, and a few surprising answers, when the Education Minister asked pupils at morning assembly what they would like to see more of in school. 'My favourite suggestion today was 'more sharing' and I think that's the one I'll remember from today's visit,' said Jenny Gilruth. 'It's been brilliant being here today at St Ignatius' and seeing the impact the extra funding has had in supporting an extra depute and extra staff around the school, and supporting the agenda that the school has here. You can feel the ethos as soon as you come into the school and it's fantastic to see the difference it is making. 'It was really interesting to hear a bit more about the school having a specific depute that's involved in leading the work in terms of the Forest School and hearing from the teachers and the kids about the difference that's made to their learning. I was speaking to parents about the importance of that, which compliments the academic work, and having that opportunity to be outside engaging with nature and how that impacts on attainment.' She continued: 'PEF was announced nearly 10 years ago and was meant to be a 10-year funding stream. We'll continue the funding until 2026/27 and then it will be in the gift of the Scottish people and those are elected next year to run the government. "In every school I am in now, head teachers say this funding can't go and that we have to have it continue as it has made such a difference. 'I think PEF needs to continue and the next government will need to consider what else we can do to support our schools. 'It's direct funding going to head teachers and there was some resistance to that, as some thought it should go to councils. 'When we introduced it we trusted head teachers to make a difference in our schools, and that's proven to be absolutely correct. 'Every day they are making a transformative impact and they know the interventions to put in place. They know the needs of their young people. 'Today's visit has been a really heartwarming reminder to me of the importance of trusting the professionals who are at the top face every day to get it right for our young people, and PEF funding really compliments that approach.' Ms Gilruth also took the opportunity to highlight other examples of measures being taken by the SNP government to improve the lives of children. She added: 'We are also taking further steps to tackle child poverty through education, including through funding early learning and childcare, free school meals and the delivery of free breakfast clubs.' St Ignatius' head teacher Anne Marie Pearson, said: 'Pupil Equity Funding has had a transformative impact on our school community. Through the strategic use of data and high-quality, targeted support, we've seen real improvements in attainment, achievement, and engagement – especially among our focus pupils. "These children are now taking pride in their successes, raising their aspirations, and becoming active contributors to our school life.' She continued: 'Families are now more engaged than ever, proactively communicating with us and understanding that support is available to all. 'We've also expanded access to enriching experiences, like lunchtime and after-school clubs, ensuring equity for pupils who might not otherwise have these opportunities." Mrs Pearson highlighted the introduction of the school's innovative tracking system which shows raised attainment across all groups in the school. 'Ultimately, PEF has enabled us to create a nurturing inclusive environment where every child is supported to succeed – and we're incredibly proud of the journey we're on together,' she added. And did you know Lanarkshire Live has its own app? Download yours for free here.
New York Post
05-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Battle for biblical archaeology intensifies as Israeli researchers face academic boycott
TEL AVIV – A leading archaeology journal has effectively barred submissions by Israelis on Judea and Samaria unless they 'have cooperated with the relevant Palestinian authorities,' in what analysts say is a microcosm of the harm caused by a global campaign to whitewash the Jewish people's history in the Land of Israel. According to a report recently published by The Press Service of Israel (TPS-IL), the Palestine Exploration Quarterly (PEQ)—a peer-reviewed journal of the London-based Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF)—is refusing to accept submissions from researchers affiliated with institutions operating in what it refers to as 'occupied territory,' citing concerns over alleged Israeli violations of international law. 'Publication in PEQ is guided by the PEF's ethical policy. The main aspect of this is international law, by which many academic institutions and publications, including PEQ, are bound,' Charlotte Whiting, the journal's editor-in-chief, told TPS-IL. The journal's website states that it 'does not collaborate with institutions founded by an occupying power based in any occupied territory, and will not support, encourage, fund, or publish research by any academic associated with such institutions.' Israeli archaeologists told TPS-IL that any cooperation with Palestinian authorities or colleagues was practically impossible, because they 'would be treated as traitors for this.' They also said that their work is in many instances shunned by the broader academic world and, as such, researchers are forgoing focus on the biblically significant areas of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) to protect their careers. 'What we're seeing is a deliberate attempt to undermine Jewish historical ties to the land,' Yishai Fleisher, international spokesman for Hebron, the cradle of Jewish civilization located in Judea, told Fox News Digital. 'There are three strategies at play: the Palestinians either acknowledge Jews were once here but argue they no longer belong, deny any Jewish connection at all, or destroy the evidence outright.' 4 Israeli archaeologists told TPS-IL that any cooperation with Palestinian authorities or colleagues was practically impossible. AP Fleisher noted ongoing efforts by Palestinian authorities and others to rename historical Jewish sites. 'They call Hebron 'Al-Khalil,' and the Cave of the Patriarchs becomes the 'Ibrahimi Mosque.' The Temple Mount is now the 'Al-Aqsa complex,' and Rachel's Tomb has been rebranded as the 'Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque,'' he said. To counter this, he says Israeli advocates are working to mark and preserve ancient Jewish landmarks. 'We added an Israeli flag and a menorah to a building originally constructed by King Herod 2,000 years ago—which itself stands atop a tomb dating back 3,500 years—to make it unmistakably clear it's a Jewish site, despite the later addition of three minarets by Muslim conquerors.' The Palestinian Authority, which gained non-member observer state status at the United Nations in 2012, has been spearheading the campaign to rewrite history in global forums that contain automatic anti-Israel majorities. Among them is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which in 2016 registered the Cave of the Patriarchs—the resting place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their wives Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah located in Hebron—in the name of the 'State of Palestine' on its 'List of World Heritage in Danger.' More recently, UNESCO, in September 2023, named the Tell es-Sultan site near Jericho, which contains ruins dating back to the ninth millennium BCE, including evidence of one of humanity's first-known villages, as a 'World Heritage Site in Palestine.' 4 Hebron is the cradle of Jewish civilization located in Judea. Sygma via Getty Images In December 2021, the United Nations General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution referring to the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site—located in Jerusalem but beyond the 1967 borders—only by its Muslim name, 'Haram al-Sharif.' In September 2024, P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas called the Temple Mount the 'exclusive property of Muslims.' Last week, Abbas said in a rare televised speech that the Koran describes the Jewish Temple as being in Yemen. Naomi Kahn, director of the international division at Regavim, a think tank focused on Israeli sovereignty, said the P.A. is actively building over key archaeological sites as part of this initiative. 'In Solomon's Pools, which is under P.A. jurisdiction in accordance with the Oslo Accords, they're constructing condominiums directly on top of ancient Jewish infrastructure,' Kahn told Fox News Digital. 'These are internationally recognized heritage sites, but the agreements are being violated. She cited the Hasmonean fortresses near Jericho as a major example. 'The burial grounds of Hasmonean kings—the largest necropolis in the Middle East from the Second Temple period—have been plowed and used for farming and construction. In one case, we found human bones scattered in the fields. The Israeli Civil Administration had to collect and rebury them.' Khan also referenced Sebastia, the Greco-Roman name for the ancient city of Samaria. Originally founded by King Omri in the 9th century BC, Samaria became the capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel, as noted in the Hebrew Bible (1 Kings 16:24). It served as the kingdom's capital until it fell to the Assyrians in 722 BCE. Centuries later, Herod the Great rebuilt the city and renamed it Sebaste—Sebastia in later usage—in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus, whose name in Greek, 'Sebastos,' carried the same imperial meaning. 4 Originally founded by King Omri in the 9th century BC, Samaria became the capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel, as noted in the Hebrew Bible (1 Kings 16:24). In March of last year, Palestinian construction workers built an illegal road through Sebastia, which is located near the city of Nablus, also known by its biblical name, Shechem. Khan said other sites facing encroachment include Joshua's Altar, where a new Palestinian neighborhood is being developed nearby, and Joseph's Tomb, which is largely inaccessible to Jewish Israelis 'I'm disgusted, but not concerned,' Sandra Hagee Parker, Chairwoman of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund, told Fox News Digital in a statement. 'Where are the Romans, Ottomans, and Crusaders? The enemies of Israel are remembered only for their ultimate defeat by the God of Abraham and His children. 'Moreover, the grotesque effort to deny the Jewish connection to the Land is a rejection of God Himself,' she continued. 'It is both antisemitic and anti-Christian—and it will never succeed. My only concern is that America continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and her people,' she added. Ze'ev Orenstein, Director of International Affairs at the Jerusalem-based City of David Foundation, stressed that 'from its inception in 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization—the forerunner of today's Palestinian Authority—was founded on the denial of thousands of years of Jewish history and heritage rooted in the Land of Israel in general, and in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria—the Biblical heartland—in particular. 'This denial,' Orenstein told Fox News Digital, 'aimed to delegitimize and undermine the Jewish people's legal, moral and historical right to sovereignty in the Land of Israel, portraying a people with some of the deepest archaeological ties to the land as occupiers and colonizers. 'For that reason, the Islamic Waqf carried out a campaign of systematic destruction of antiquities atop the Temple Mount in the late 1990s, and Palestinian leadership continues to deny, damage, and destroy Jewish heritage sites throughout Judea and Samaria,' he said. 4 A site facing encroachment is Joshua's Altar, where a new Palestinian neighborhood is being developed nearby. Google Maps In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in July 2023 announced a $33 million program to safeguard and rehabilitate archaeological sites in the biblical heartland. 'In every corner of Judea and Samaria, one need only to put spade to ground in order to uncover archaeological finds that attest to our deep roots in the Land of Israel,' Netanyahu said at the time. 'This plan will encourage tourism, education and [present] information for these important sites that tell the story of our people in Judea and Samaria.' Rev. Dr. Petra Heldt, professor at the Jerusalem University College and director of the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel, cited biblical texts and ongoing excavations as proof of longstanding Jewish presence in the region. 'There are hundreds of biblical place names showing Jews lived in Judea and Samaria since the time of Abraham,' Heldt told Fox News Digital. 'The Palestinian Authority has tried to erase this evidence, but it's nearly impossible to eliminate.' Heldt pointed to Shiloh as a thriving example, with an active kibbutz and archaeological site where new discoveries are regularly unearthed. 'Jewish communities are not only living in their ancestral homeland—they're documenting it. You can see the impact of various layers of occupation over the last hundred years.' According to Heldt, whose organization hosts global lectures and educational programs on archaeological findings in Judea and Samaria, more international support is needed to protect these sites. 'We must involve the media, universities, artists, filmmakers and writers to tell these stories and make these places matter globally,' she said. The struggle to preserve Jewish historical sites in Judea and Samaria is not just about stones or ruins—it's a battle over narrative, legitimacy and identity, according to the experts. 'The way to fight this is to build, to educate and to assert our sovereignty,' Hebron's Fleisher said. 'That's how we strengthen our connection to the land and protect the truth of our history.'
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Battle for biblical archaeology intensifies as Israeli researchers face academic boycott
TEL AVIV - A leading archaeology journal has effectively barred submissions by Israelis on Judea and Samaria unless they "have cooperated with the relevant Palestinian authorities," in what analysts say is a microcosm of the harm caused by a global campaign to whitewash the Jewish people's history in the Land of Israel. According to a report recently published by The Press Service of Israel (TPS-IL), the Palestine Exploration Quarterly (PEQ)—a peer-reviewed journal of the London-based Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF)—is refusing to accept submissions from researchers affiliated with institutions operating in what it refers to as "occupied territory," citing concerns over alleged Israeli violations of international law. "Publication in PEQ is guided by the PEF's ethical policy. The main aspect of this is international law, by which many academic institutions and publications, including PEQ, are bound," Charlotte Whiting, the journal's editor-in-chief, told TPS-IL. The journal's website states that it "does not collaborate with institutions founded by an occupying power based in any occupied territory, and will not support, encourage, fund, or publish research by any academic associated with such institutions." Leading Evangelicals In Push To Have President Trump Recognize Israeli Sovereignty Over 'Biblical Heartland' Israeli archaeologists told TPS-IL that any cooperation with Palestinian authorities or colleagues was practically impossible, because they "would be treated as traitors for this." They also said that their work is in many instances shunned by the broader academic world and, as such, researchers are forgoing focus on the biblically significant areas of Judea and Samaria (West Bank) to protect their careers. Read On The Fox News App "What we're seeing is a deliberate attempt to undermine Jewish historical ties to the land," Yishai Fleisher, international spokesman for Hebron, the cradle of Jewish civilization located in Judea, told Fox News Digital. "There are three strategies at play: the Palestinians either acknowledge Jews were once here but argue they no longer belong, deny any Jewish connection at all, or destroy the evidence outright." Fleisher noted ongoing efforts by Palestinian authorities and others to rename historical Jewish sites. "They call Hebron 'Al-Khalil,' and the Cave of the Patriarchs becomes the 'Ibrahimi Mosque.' The Temple Mount is now the 'Al-Aqsa complex,' and Rachel's Tomb has been rebranded as the 'Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque,'" he said. To counter this, he says Israeli advocates are working to mark and preserve ancient Jewish landmarks. "We added an Israeli flag and a menorah to a building originally constructed by King Herod 2,000 years ago—which itself stands atop a tomb dating back 3,500 years—to make it unmistakably clear it's a Jewish site, despite the later addition of three minarets by Muslim conquerors." The Palestinian Authority, which gained non-member observer state status at the United Nations in 2012, has been spearheading the campaign to rewrite history in global forums that contain automatic anti-Israel majorities. Among them is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which in 2016 registered the Cave of the Patriarchs—the resting place of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and their wives Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah located in Hebron—in the name of the "State of Palestine" on its "List of World Heritage in Danger." More recently, UNESCO, in September 2023, named the Tell es-Sultan site near Jericho, which contains ruins dating back to the ninth millennium BCE, including evidence of one of humanity's first-known villages, as a "World Heritage Site in Palestine." In December 2021, the United Nations General Assembly passed a non-binding resolution referring to the Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site—located in Jerusalem but beyond the 1967 borders—only by its Muslim name, "Haram al-Sharif." In September 2024, P.A. leader Mahmoud Abbas called the Temple Mount the "exclusive property of Muslims." Last week, Abbas said in a rare televised speech that the Koran describes the Jewish Temple as being in Yemen. Gop Lawmakers Push Trump To Recognize West Bank As Israeli Territory Naomi Kahn, director of the international division at Regavim, a think tank focused on Israeli sovereignty, said the P.A. is actively building over key archaeological sites as part of this initiative. "In Solomon's Pools, which is under P.A. jurisdiction in accordance with the Oslo Accords, they're constructing condominiums directly on top of ancient Jewish infrastructure," Kahn told Fox News Digital. "These are internationally recognized heritage sites, but the agreements are being violated. She cited the Hasmonean fortresses near Jericho as a major example. "The burial grounds of Hasmonean kings—the largest necropolis in the Middle East from the Second Temple period—have been plowed and used for farming and construction. In one case, we found human bones scattered in the fields. The Israeli Civil Administration had to collect and rebury them." Khan also referenced Sebastia, the Greco-Roman name for the ancient city of Samaria. Originally founded by King Omri in the 9th century BC, Samaria became the capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel, as noted in the Hebrew Bible (1 Kings 16:24). It served as the kingdom's capital until it fell to the Assyrians in 722 BCE. Centuries later, Herod the Great rebuilt the city and renamed it Sebaste—Sebastia in later usage—in honor of the Roman Emperor Augustus, whose name in Greek, "Sebastos," carried the same imperial meaning. In March of last year, Palestinian construction workers built an illegal road through Sebastia, which is located near the city of Nablus, also known by its biblical name, Shechem. Khan said other sites facing encroachment include Joshua's Altar, where a new Palestinian neighborhood is being developed nearby, and Joseph's Tomb, which is largely inaccessible to Jewish Israelis "I'm disgusted, but not concerned," Sandra Hagee Parker, Chairwoman of the Christians United for Israel Action Fund, told Fox News Digital in a statement. "Where are the Romans, Ottomans, and Crusaders? The enemies of Israel are remembered only for their ultimate defeat by the God of Abraham and His children. "Moreover, the grotesque effort to deny the Jewish connection to the Land is a rejection of God Himself," she continued. "It is both antisemitic and anti-Christian—and it will never succeed. My only concern is that America continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and her people," she added. Ze'ev Orenstein, Director of International Affairs at the Jerusalem-based City of David Foundation, stressed that "from its inception in 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization—the forerunner of today's Palestinian Authority—was founded on the denial of thousands of years of Jewish history and heritage rooted in the Land of Israel in general, and in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria—the Biblical heartland—in particular. "This denial," Orenstein told Fox News Digital, "aimed to delegitimize and undermine the Jewish people's legal, moral and historical right to sovereignty in the Land of Israel, portraying a people with some of the deepest archaeological ties to the land as occupiers and colonizers. "For that reason, the Islamic Waqf carried out a campaign of systematic destruction of antiquities atop the Temple Mount in the late 1990s, and Palestinian leadership continues to deny, damage, and destroy Jewish heritage sites throughout Judea and Samaria," he said. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in July 2023 announced a $33 million program to safeguard and rehabilitate archaeological sites in the biblical heartland. "In every corner of Judea and Samaria, one need only to put spade to ground in order to uncover archaeological finds that attest to our deep roots in the Land of Israel," Netanyahu said at the time. "This plan will encourage tourism, education and [present] information for these important sites that tell the story of our people in Judea and Samaria." Rev. Dr. Petra Heldt, professor at the Jerusalem University College and director of the Ecumenical Theological Research Fraternity in Israel, cited biblical texts and ongoing excavations as proof of longstanding Jewish presence in the region. "There are hundreds of biblical place names showing Jews lived in Judea and Samaria since the time of Abraham," Heldt told Fox News Digital. "The Palestinian Authority has tried to erase this evidence, but it's nearly impossible to eliminate." Heldt pointed to Shiloh as a thriving example, with an active kibbutz and archaeological site where new discoveries are regularly unearthed. "Jewish communities are not only living in their ancestral homeland—they're documenting it. You can see the impact of various layers of occupation over the last hundred years." According to Heldt, whose organization hosts global lectures and educational programs on archaeological findings in Judea and Samaria, more international support is needed to protect these sites. "We must involve the media, universities, artists, filmmakers and writers to tell these stories and make these places matter globally," she said. The struggle to preserve Jewish historical sites in Judea and Samaria is not just about stones or ruins—it's a battle over narrative, legitimacy and identity, according to the experts. "The way to fight this is to build, to educate and to assert our sovereignty," Hebron's Fleisher said. "That's how we strengthen our connection to the land and protect the truth of our history."Original article source: Battle for biblical archaeology intensifies as Israeli researchers face academic boycott
