| dc.description.abstract | This study examines the nationalist tendencies of Israeli archaeological policies and practices, but also that nation's infringement on Palestine's cultural patrimony claims and identity. Despite the international community's continuous efforts to pose recommendations in support of protecting the world's cultural heritage, regardless of any particular nationality, ethnicity, or religious affiliation, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict has infiltrated and politicized the field of archaeology's credibility in the region. Therefore, as an alternative measure to address one aspect of the serious tensions existing between the two populations, this thesis will demonstrate how Israeli and Palestinian relations might significantly improve if the Jewish State not only recognized the indigenous community's ancient history and culture, but then subsequently adopted a repatriation policy similar to the United States' Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). Although the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is extremely political and complex by nature, this study neither dwells on nor emphasizes the turbulent diplomatic troubles between these dominant societies of Palestine; nor will it detail the long and extensive abuses perpetrated by the United States against Native Americans, which inevitably led to the creation of NAGPRA. Rather, this thesis argues on the side of international,cultural and patrimony laws, and attempts, while building upon the works and contributions of others, to create a new synthesized understanding of the current cultural dispute. Additionally, the study emphasizes many components - nationalism being the most important - that have predetermined Israel's monopoly over the region's heritage and examines the guidelines, those of both American and international origin, which support the protection and recognition of indigenous populations' history and material remains. This work argues that 1) Palestinian artifacts and historical remains be returned to the Palestinian people 2) puts the role of cultural patrimony into the context of present-day, enumerated international conventions, and 3) uses the NAGPRA model of repatriation as the means to implement international law. Lastly, the purpose of this project is not to call into question the right of existence for an Israeli or Palestinian sovereign territory; rather, it seeks to address the historical and archaeological material remains left from the ancient, indigenous communities of the region. As an alternative to addressing the issues in the area, this study argues that it is in the best interest for both Israeli and Palestinian communities to recognize the rich-history and culturally diverse material remains of the peoples of the land. By recognizing and respecting the value of cultural history and its remnants, hopefully, both sides can begin the process of transferring that mutual respect to the political realm to address ongoing cultural disputes. | |
