ISRAELI actions resulting in infrastructural changes are endangering Palestinian heritage sites, claimed a diplomat.
Palestinian Ambassador to Unesco Mounir Anastas said such damaging Israel actions were aimed at altering the distinctive characteristics of Jerusalem and Hebron.
Four sites in Palestine are among 20 heritage sites out of the 82 in the Arab region listed as endangered.
These include the old city of Jerusalem, the old town of Hebron, Bethlehem and Battir.
“We have the old city of Jerusalem and its walls, which Jordan has requested to be put on the endangered list, the old town of Hebron, Bethlehem and Battir,” said Mr Anastas.
“The main reason for these sites to be in danger is the Israeli occupation in Palestine, except in the case of Bethlehem where it is a technical issue.
“The rest are endangered because of the Israeli occupation practices and violations that harmfully affect the outstanding universal value of these sites.”
According to him, the Israelis are undertaking major projects which are bringing about infrastructural changes.
“For instance, a military observation tower has been built at the main entrance of Jerusalem, the Damascus Gate.
“Now, they are planning to construct a cable car from East Jerusalem to West Jerusalem passing over the old city, which will impact it visually.
“Already there is a tram operating 20 metres from the historical walls of the old city.
“Whenever there is a construction activity in and around heritage sites, a huge problem is created.”
Mr Anastas was speaking to the GDN on the sidelines of the 42nd session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC), at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain.
The high-profile gathering under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad was inaugurated on Sunday.
Co-organised by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (Baca) and the International Centre for Study of the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, the forum gathers more than 2,000 experts from 139 countries and will run until July 4.
Earlier, Unesco director general Audrey Azoulay told a Press conference that “tensions” had prevailed in the WHC and the Unesco secretariat until a consensus – called the Middle East resolution – was reached between Jordan, Palestine and Israel on the endangered heritage sites in the region.
However, she refrained from mentioning the sites.
“It is a sensitive issue and long discussions were held with the secretariat playing the role of a facilitator between Jordan and Palestine on one side and Israel on the other,” she said.
Mr Anastas said he was happy that a consensus was reached which helped retain the status of Palestine heritage sites as endangered.
“Usually these decisions are taken by vote and we are happy that a consensus was reached as mentioned by the Unesco director-general,” he said.
“We hope this consensus may give Unesco and the WHC reason to deal with these threats and to apply corrective measures on the ground to avoid harming the value and characteristics of these sites.
Measures
“Israel is continuously trying to change the distinctive characteristics of Jerusalem and Hebron, and this is the real threat and danger.
“We hope Unesco will take concrete measures to limit this threat.”
The WHC meeting will consider the status of 157 registered sites on the World Heritage List and the possibility of including 29 sites to the list.
Forum chairwoman Shaikha Haya bint Rashid Al Khalifa noted that the 1972 World Heritage Convention protects more than 1,000 sites globally.
“Forty years after the implementation of the WHC, we are now at crossroads on whether this agreement is still in line with its content and value.
“At the same time, it is the preservation of the diverse cultural and natural heritage of our planet.
“Through the preservation of the sites, the WHC aims at implementing complementary projects such as educational projects, training of specialists and raising awareness of the importance of world heritage.”
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