Palestinian negotiators have also said they will seek compensation from Israel for the value of antiquities that have been removed from occupied lands captured by Israel in 1967. Some Israeli archaeological sites claim the same kind of historical longevity, and Israelis have countered Palestinian claims with a few of their own. Earlier this year archaeologists protested against the disruption of land around the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, where they believe Moslem religious leaders are systematically erasing traces of Jewish roots in Jerusalem and thus claims to the city. At Zippori, archaeologist Ze'ev Weiss is trying to avoid the pitfalls. He believes archaeology must be devoid of politics.
Archaeology is pure academic work.
In November 1996 Stephen Pfann of the Center for the Study of Early Chistianity identified an ancient wine press associated with agricultural terraces on the grounds of Nazareth Hospital and the land adjacent to it. Potsherds were found on the surface of the terraces dating from various periods beginning with the early to late Roman period. An archaeological survey of the surface of the land adjacent to Nazareth Hospital was conducted in February by Ross Voss, R. Mikel Rapuano, Stephen Pfann, and Jan Karnis, all from the Center for the Study of Early Christianity. Two distinct areas were identified which are defined by the type of terracing found there. The first season of Excavation took place April 22nd until May 6th 1997 under the auspices of the Center for the Study of Early Christianity and under the joint directorship of Ross Voss and Stephen Pfann.