Inclusion of three Palestinian historical sites in the Arab Architectural and Urban Heritage Register

Bethlehem - Ofoq News - The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani Al-Hayek, announced the inclusion of three Palestinian historical sites in the Arab Architectural and Urban Heritage Register, in a new achievement that reflects the government’s ongoing efforts to protect and preserve Palestinian archaeological sites, and enhance their presence at the regional and international levels, thus contributing to highlighting their historical and cultural value and highlighting the risks and challenges they face.

This achievement constitutes an important step in the process of protecting Palestinian historical and archaeological sites, and enhancing their position on the Arab heritage map, noting that registering them in regional and international records contributes to publicizing their importance, intensifying efforts aimed at preserving them and protecting them from the dangers that threaten them, and ensuring their sustainability for future generations.

The sites included are the Old City of Nablus, the Old City of Bethlehem, and the historic Arraba Palaces in the town of Arraba in Jenin Governorate. This came during the eleventh meeting of officers of the Observatory for Architectural and Urban Heritage in the Arab Countries, which was held by the Arab Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo.

This inclusion highlights the historical, architectural and cultural value of these sites, as living evidence of the depth of the Palestinian presence and its contribution to the Arab cultural heritage. It also represents an important step towards enhancing the presence of the Palestinian heritage in Arab forums, and expanding the scope of its definition as an integral part of the cultural and historical identity of the Palestinian people.

The meeting extended over three days, and included discussion of the registration of a number of prominent urban landmarks in Arab countries, in addition to discussing ways to enhance joint Arab cooperation in protecting and preserving tangible cultural heritage, and developing mechanisms for preserving historical and architectural sites in a way that ensures their continuity for future generations.