Dr. Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. and Media Advisor of the Embassy of Palestine in New Delhi has announced that a high-ranking Palestinian delegation will participate in the 46th Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. The event, organized by UNESCO, will be held at the Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition and Convention Center (IECC) in New Delhi from July 21-31.
The Palestinian delegation aims to seek support for the inclusion of the Tell Umm Amer site, also known as the Monastery of St. Hilarion in the Gaza Strip, on the list of World Heritage in Danger. Dr. Jazer emphasized that gaining support from the 21 member states of the World Heritage Committee is crucial for this endeavor.
Dr. Jazer highlighted the importance of India’s support for the inclusion of the Tell Umm Amer site. He noted that India’s backing would showcase its commitment to enhancing the Palestinians’ capabilities in preserving their cultural and historical heritage. This support would be highly appreciated by the Palestinian delegation.
The statement also pointed out the challenges faced by heritage sites in Palestine due to ongoing conflicts. The Palestinian delegation is concerned about the systematic destruction of these sites by Israeli occupation forces. They believe that registering the Tell Umm Amer site as a World Heritage site in danger will help protect it and other heritage sites in Palestine from further damage.
The Palestinian delegation plans to discuss both urgent and long-term measures needed to preserve these sites. They hope to highlight the necessity of protecting the main features of the site’s Outstanding Universal Value from the continuing threats of war, whether natural or human-made.
Furthermore, Palestine has requested India to condemn the deliberate targeting of the Tell Umm Amer site and its access road. This condemnation would reinforce the global community’s commitment to preserving cultural and historical diversity worldwide.
The Palestinian delegation will include several prominent figures: H.E. Monir Anastas, Ambassador of Palestine to UNESCO; H.E. Adnan Abu Al-hayjaa, Ambassador of Palestine to India; Dr. Abed Elrazeg Abu Jazer, Counsellor for Political and Media Affairs; Ahmed Rajoub, Director General of Heritage at the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism in Ramallah; and Hanan Najjajrah from the Ministry of Tourism in Ramallah.
The participation of this high-ranking delegation underscores Palestine’s dedication to protecting its cultural heritage and seeking international support for its preservation efforts. The upcoming UNESCO meeting in New Delhi will provide a crucial platform for these discussions.
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