Paris: The Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ministry expressed its approval on Tuesday following the unanimous adoption by the World Heritage Committee of four resolutions concerning Palestinian sites listed as World Heritage in Danger.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the World Heritage Committee, during its forty-seventh session held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, resolved to keep the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The status of Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town, inscribed in 2017, remains unchanged.
Additionally, the committee decided to retain both the Saint Hilarion Monastery/Tell Umm Amer, inscribed in 2024, and the Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines - Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir, on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The Ministry highlighted that these decisions result from diplomatic efforts by Palestine's delegation to UNESCO, in collaboration with Jordan, the Arab Group, and allied countries. It underscored the significance of adopting these resolutions in light of violations committed by Israel, which it described as the illegitimate occupying power, against world heritage and cultural properties. It accused Israel of attempts to desecrate holy sites, falsify Palestinian heritage, culture, and historical properties, and infringe upon Palestinian rights, particularly those under UNESCO's jurisdiction, including in occupied Jerusalem.
The Ministry further cited violations of rights to worship, movement, and education, alongside continuous intrusions by colonists into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and other world heritage sites, such as the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron and Battir.
