Israeli minister raises flag in Jordan Valley, claims West Bank is ‘part of the Land of Israel’

Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu has claimed that the occupied West Bank is “part of the Land of Israel”, publishing footage showing himself raising an Israeli flag on a mountain peak in the Jordan Valley.

Eliyahu, a member of the far-right Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, shared the video on the social media platform X on Monday evening, amid growing Palestinian concerns that Israeli political rhetoric and actions are paving the way for the annexation of the West Bank.

In the post, the minister said the Israeli flag had been raised “for the first time” on the summit of Mount Sartaba, approximately 650 metres above the Jordan Valley.

“We are reclaiming what is ours,” Eliyahu said, adding that authorities plan to revive the tradition of lighting torches on the summit in early April, referencing practices dating back to the period of the Mishnah.

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Mount Qarn Sartaba, known for its distinctive conical peak, lies in the Jordan Valley between Beit She’an and Jericho and is considered an important archaeological and historical site.

The Jordan Valley forms part of Area C of the occupied West Bank, which remains under Israeli civil, administrative and security control under interim arrangements and comprises around 61 per cent of the territory.

Palestinians view such symbolic acts and political statements as reinforcing efforts to consolidate Israeli control over occupied land and advance annexation policies, a move widely considered illegal under international law.

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