An antiquities looting gang from the village of Surif, near Hebron, was caught red-handed this week while plundering and damaging an underground system dating back to the Second Temple period at the Khirbet Umm er Rus archaeological site, near Beit Shemesh, according to a report on Thursday.
In a joint operation between the Israel Antiquities Authority’s (IAA) anti-looting unit and Border Police officers, the looters were apprehended while attempting to steal ancient artifacts.
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The underground system in which the Palestinians were caught
(Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority)
IAA said that the looters caused irreversible damage to the ancient remnants. Another suspect, stationed at the cave's entrance, acted as a lookout. The gang was equipped with digging tools and a metal detector, which they intended to use to locate and steal ancient coins.
The suspects were taken into custody late at night with the assistance of Border Police officers and brought in for questioning at the police station. They were remanded for four days by the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court. all were indicted.
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Dr. Eitan Klein pointing to the location the thieves were located
(Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority)
The Umm er Rus site preserves remnants of a Jewish settlement from the Second Temple period through the Bar Kokhba Revolt. The site features ancient buildings, water cisterns, and numerous underground chambers. Among the findings is a rock-hewn mikveh (ritual bath) used by the Jewish inhabitants to observe purity laws during the Second Temple period.
“The looters come by foot from several kilometers away in the West Bank, illegally enter Israeli territory, and then attack archaeological sites, digging indiscriminately and causing tremendous damage," Dr. Eitan Klein, deputy director of the IAA's anti-looting unit, said. " I’m glad we managed to catch this gang and prevent further harm to Israel’s historical heritage. We will not let them steal our history from under our feet.”
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Full water bottles indicating that the robbers planned to stay in the cave
(Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority)
“The Antiquities Authority makes ongoing efforts to protect Israel’s heritage. We stress that excavating archaeological sites without a license from the IAA is a serious offense, punishable by up to five years in prison," Amir Ganor, head of the anti-looting unit, added. "The suspects were arrested and indicted, and we hope severe punishments will follow their crimes.”
Eli Eskozido, director of the Antiquities Authority, also addressed the incident. “During these difficult times for the people of Israel, while many Antiquities Authority staff are serving on the front lines in reserve duty, our inspectors work tirelessly every night to safeguard archaeological sites from looters who try to exploit the situation and steal our ancient artifacts, destroying our history in the process. We view the protection of these sites as a national mission. I would like to thank the Jerusalem District Prosecutor’s Office for swiftly filing charges against the suspects,” he said.
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