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 her...