Who Controls Release of the Dead Sea Scrolls—The Israelis or John Strugnell?

John Strugnell, chief editor of the unpublished Dead Sea Scrolls, says he accepts suggestions from the Israeli oversight committee when they are reasonable, but when they are “not reasonable,” he doesn’t.

Apparently Strugnell believes he has ultimate control of the Scrolls—and the Israeli committee believes it does, but each is fearful of testing their belief.

Strugnell’s position is reflected in an interview on National Public Radio aired November 10, 1990.

Question: Does the Israeli oversight committee have the power to take control of the documents?

Strugnell: I meet with them and they make suggestions and we discuss them and the ones that are reasonable I accept, and the ones that are not reasonable, I don’t.

Question: So you control the documents, not the Israeli government?

Strugnell: We try not to put it that bluntly.