UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is expected to debate next month at its annual assembly in Krakow a request from the Palestinian Authority to inscribe the Old City of Hebron, and the Tomb of the Patriarchs within its parameters, on the World Heritage List in Danger on an emergency basis. A resolution on Jerusalem is also expected be raised at Krakow meeting, July 2–12.
In a letter to the World Heritage Center obtained by the Jerusalem Post, the Palestinian Delegation to UNESCO accused Israel of causing “irreversible negative effect[s] on the integrity, authenticity and/or the distinctive character of the property,” which it termed the Ibrahimi Mosque.
The Tomb, currently covered by a Herodian structure built during the Roman period, predating the Arab presence in the region, is widely believed to be the site of the cave in which the Biblical patriarchs and matriarchs are buried. It has been revered as a holy site for millennia and is currently used as a site of prayer by both Palestinians and Israelis.
On Israeli Independence Day this past May, UNESCO’s Executive Board passed a resolution describing Israel as an “occupying power” in Jerusalem and indicated that the Tomb of the Patriarchs, referred to as Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi, and Rachel’s Tomb, which it called Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque, are “an integral part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory”.
Hebron has been on the list of proposed sites to be considered as a “World Heritage Site in Danger” since 2012. Using the “occupation” as a justification, the Palestinians have requested to inscribe the Old City of Hebron, including the Cave of the Patriarchs, as a World Heritage Site on an emergency basis.
This is the third time the Palestinians have requested a site to be considered through this emergency procedure, which is a clear abuse of the system. The first time was in 2012 with the Church of the Nativity and the second time was in 2014 with the Batir Terrace.
This latest initiative is, yet again, part of an ongoing campaign by the Palestinians to use UNESCO, and particularly its bodies, to further their political agenda. The result is an increasing politicization of the institution and the adoption of egregious resolutions that further entrench divisions among all parties. Further, the Palestinians are using UNESCO to lay their claims on Jewish holy sites.
On Monday, the Jerusalem Post reported that Israel had turned down a request by UNESCO to visit Hebron ahead of the upcoming vote. "As a matter of principle, Israel will not provide legitimization to any Palestinian political move under the guise of culture and heritage," said Israel's ambassador to UNESCO, Carmel Shama-Hacohen, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Shama-Hacohen described the Palestinian request as "tainted by politicization, lies and libel against the State of Israel and against the Jewish people's connection to the site. … The Palestinians have opened another front in the religious and cultural war they are trying to impose on us."
The WJC is planning on launching a campaign on this issue in the coming days, calling on relevant states to vote against the expected resolution and to raise awareness of the continued Palestinian abuse of UN institutions, to ensure fair treatment of Israel and the protection of important heritage sites.
The 21 member nations of the World Heritage Committee will vote on the Palestinian request in a secret ballot. Israel needs seven votes against to block the motion.
