Palestine seeks 'danger listing' for heritage site at UNESCO session in India
File photo.
A high-ranking Palestinian delegation is set to participate in the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in Delhi next week and seek inclusion of the Saint Hilarion monastery at the archaeological site Tell Umm Amer in the Gaza Strip on the list of World Heritage in danger.
The session which happens under UNESCO, hosted by India, will take place from July 21 to 31, 2024, at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
Dr Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Charge d'Affaires and Media Advisor of the Palestine embassy in New Delhi announced the participation of the Palestinian delegation.
The delegation will include Palestine's ambassador to UNESCO, Monir Anastas, Palestine's ambassador to India Adnan Abu Al-Hayjaa, Political consular Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Director General of Heritage at the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism in Ramallah Ahmed Rajoub andHanan Najjajrahfrom the Ministry of Tourism in Ramallah.
DrAbu Jazer said, "The Palestinian side will work and request with 21 member states of the World Heritage Committee, UNESCO to support the inclusion of Tell Umm Amer site-the monastery of St. Hilarion in the Gaza Strip on the list of World Heritage in danger."
He emphasised the urgency of the inclusion due to the threats it faces from the ongoing conflict in the region.
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The site, Tell Umm Amer, known also as the Monastery of St. Hilarion, dates back to the Roman era & is situated near the seashore on Wadi Gaza. The settlement appears on the Madaba Map as Tabatha, from the Byzantine to early Islamic periods (400-670 AD). It contains the ruins of a significant monastery complex, which includes two churches, a burial site, a baptism hall, a public cemetery, an audience hall, and dining rooms. The monastery was well-equipped with infrastructure such as water cisterns, clay ovens, and drainage channels.
Jazer noted that Palestine has asked India, a member of the World Heritage Committee and the host country of the session, for support, adding that "India promised to provide support to the Palestinian step." Dr Abu Jazer explained that "India's support for the inclusion of this site will be highly appreciated as it demonstrates India's efforts in enhancing the Palestinians' capabilities in protecting important heritage and historical sites."
The Delhi meeting will bring together delegates from 142 countries to discuss and decide on the inscription of new sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.