UNESCO adopts resolution to put Old City of Jerusalem on list of cities in danger

The UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee unanimously adopted a resolution concerning the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls, reaffirming previous decisions of the committee to keep the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls on the list of World Heritage sites in danger, in addition to resolution of al-Khalīl ( Hebron) and Battir village in Bethlehem.

This decision was made during the forty-fifth session of UNESCO held in the capital city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates welcomed the decisions of the World Heritage Committee.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of Jerusalem and the need to preserve it from distortion or destruction, as it is a true beacon for religions and a gateway to the historical, heritage, and cultural world, with its Muslim and Christian inhabitants.

It stressed the necessity of implementing UNESCO’s resolutions, including sending a permanent delegate to Jerusalem to monitor Israel’s violations and its attempts to erase its historical, cultural, and religious landmarks or change the existing situation.

The international community was called upon to fulfill its responsibilities and take necessary steps to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against Palestinian heritage, culture, history, education in Jerusalem, and other cities in the occupied State of Palestine.