1 month ago
UNESCO Lists West Bank and Lebanese Sites Over Israel's Objections
The United Nations committee of UNESCO voted to list a town in the West Bank called Sebastia and some castles in Lebanon as special World Heritage sites.
This means these places are very important and need to be protected.
Israel didn't like this decision and said it was unfair because Sebastia has a lot of Jewish and Christian history.
They also said that one of the castles in Lebanon is being used by a group called Hezbollah for military purposes.
UNESCO didn't comment on Israel's claims.
This decision was made during a meeting in South Korea.
UNESCO listed Sebastia in the West Bank and five Lebanese castles as World Heritage sites.
Israel objected, calling the nominations a political move to erase Jewish and Christian history.
Sebastia is identified as ancient Samara, capital of the biblical Kingdom of Israel.
Israel accused Hezbollah of using Beaufort Castle as a military stronghold.
UNESCO and the Lebanese embassy declined to comment on Israel's claims.
- Who
- UNESCO committee, Palestinian delegation, Israeli Foreign Ministry
- What
- Designation of Sebastia and Lebanese castles as World Heritage sites
- Where
- Busan, South Korea
- When
- Friday (specific date not mentioned)
- Why
- To preserve archaeological significance and protect sites from Israeli control, despite Israeli objections
Palestinian and Lebanese Perspective
Israeli Perspective
Designation of Sebastia
Palestinian and Lebanese Perspective
Sebastia needs World Heritage status to preserve its archaeological significance and protect it from Israeli control.
Israeli Perspective
The designation is a political attempt to erase the site's Jewish and Christian history and is part of a hostile campaign.
Beaufort Castle
Palestinian and Lebanese Perspective
The castles in the Mount Amel area, including Beaufort Castle, are recognized for their layered architectural heritage.
Israeli Perspective
Beaufort Castle has been turned into a military stronghold by Hezbollah, and UNESCO is ignoring this development.
Key facts
- Location of Sebastia
- 10 kilometers northwest of Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank
- Historical Significance of Sebastia
- Identified as ancient Samara, capital of the biblical Kingdom of Israel
- UNESCO Meeting Location
- Busan, South Korea
- Date of UNESCO Decision
- Friday (specific date not mentioned)
- Israeli Withdrawal from UNESCO
- 2019
- Hezbollah's Use of Beaufort Castle
- Military stronghold with tunnels and rocket launches
Quotes
Israel's Foreign Ministry
Israeli foreign policy official
“We hope that this decision will enable us to preserve Sebastia.”
theprint.in
“No vote in an international organization can change history.”
theprint.in
Sources
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