UNESCO World Heritage Committee Affirms The Extraordinary Universal Value Of The Old Town Of Hebron

Kota Tua Hebron. (Wikimedia Commons/Ralf Roletschek)

JAKARTA - The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in its 47th session in Paris, France last month adopted a statement reaffirming the Extraordinary Universal Value of the Old Town of Hebron, which has been included in the List of Endangered World Heritage since 2017.

This decision is the culmination of Palestinian continued efforts to protect the historic center of Hebron and strengthen its recognition on the global cultural stage, launched WAFA Aug. 5.

The city is recognized as a heritage site that realizes a unique spiritual, cultural and humanitarian history.

The decision is based on UNESCO's criteria, which highlight the exchange of inter- civilizational humanitarian values, the extraordinary preservation of traditional urban order, and the site's religious and spiritual importance, especially the Ibrahimi Mosque (Gua Para ancestor).

The Permanent Delegation of the Palestinian State for UNESCO stated that the adoption of this declaration was an international recognition of Hebron as an integral part of the world heritage.

The delegation also underscores the urgency of the city's protection in the face of ever-increasing threats, especially those caused by Israel's colonial expansion, movement restrictions, and systematic efforts to change the character of the Ibrahimi Mosque.

The delegation stressed that this decision strengthens UNESCO's commitment to its responsibility in protecting World Heritage Sites, especially those threatened.

The delegation also called on the international community to immediately take steps to protect the Old City of Hebron from any action that could jeopardize the integrity of its history and culture.

Thanks were conveyed by the delegation to member states that have voted to support the adoption of the resolution, affirming the struggle to protect the Palestinian heritage is still ongoing and this decision will be an international reference point in the face of continued Israeli abuses in the city, particularly inside and around the Ibrahimi Mosque.