Palestine condemns Israeli excavations at archaeological sites in West Bank

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned excavation and bulldozing works carried out by Israeli authorities at Palestinian archaeological sites in the town of Sebastia, north of Nablus in the West Bank.

In a statement issued today, the ministry warned of the serious threats facing Sebastia, especially after it was added to the List of World Heritage in Danger by a decision of the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), underscoring the urgent need to protect the site from ongoing threats and violations.

The ministry noted that these actions constitute a violation of the obligations of the occupying power under international humanitarian law, which requires the protection of cultural property and prohibits its misuse for occupation purposes. The ministry added that the works also contravene the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

It stressed that the looting, distortion, or alteration of Palestinian antiquities is a violation of UNESCO conventions and international law, and constitutes an attack on Palestinian presence and world heritage, as well as an attempt to control the site and erase its historical identity.

The ministry called on UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee, international organizations, and the global community to take urgent action to halt the excavations, bulldozing, and looting of antiquities, to ensure the site's protection and authenticity, and to take concrete measures to stop the theft of Palestinian cultural heritage and hold the occupying authorities accountable for their violations.