UNESCO adopts 3 resolutions to preserve Palestinian historical sites

The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted three resolutions on Tuesday during its 46th session held in New Delhi, India, to unanimously protect and preserve Palestinian sites listed as World Heritage in Danger.

The sites include: the Old City of Jerusalem and its surrounding walls, the Old City of Hebron, and Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir.

The resolutions confirmed keeping these sites on the World Heritage in Danger list due to repeated violations by the Israeli army.

The resolution concerning Jerusalem highlighted the legal status of East Jerusalem as an occupied city and emphasized the need to preserve the existing historical status quo, drawing attention to ongoing attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The resolution on Hebron condemned Israeli army practices in the Old City and the Ibrahimi Mosque, as well as the settlers’ excavations and constructions, denouncing the project of building an electric elevator in the Ibrahimi Mosque.

The resolution regarding Battir addressed Israeli violations related to constructing a tunnel, a bypass road, and land leveling, as well as establishing settlement outposts within the World Heritage site.