UNESCO Adds Palestine’s Saint Hilarion Monastery to World Heritage List
Historic Site Recognized Amid Ongoing Conflict
During the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India, UNESCO added the Saint Hilarion Monastery in Palestine, also known as ‘Tell Umm Amer’, to its World Heritage List. The site was also placed on the World Heritage in Danger list due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
The ruins of the monastery are located in An-Nuseirat town, about 10 kilometers south of Gaza City. This site was a significant center for religious, cultural, and economic exchange during the Byzantine period.
UNESCO announced the inscription on social media, highlighting the site’s historical, religious, architectural, and cultural importance. The ruins represent a key milestone in the development of Christian monastic life in Palestine and the eastern Mediterranean.
Palestinian Ambassador to UNESCO, Monir Anastas, expressed gratitude to India and the committee members for their support. He emphasized the importance of this recognition for the people of Gaza, who are currently facing severe hardships due to the conflict.
Anastas called on the international community to protect cultural properties in Gaza and urged Israel to end the ongoing war. He stressed that once a site is inscribed on the World Heritage List, it becomes the responsibility of all humanity to protect it.
The World Heritage Committee, composed of representatives from 21 states, is examining 27 sites for potential inscription during the session from July 26 to July 29.
Doubts Revealed
UNESCO -: UNESCO stands for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It helps protect important places and things around the world.
Saint Hilarion Monastery -: Saint Hilarion Monastery is an old, important building in Palestine. It is a place where people used to live and pray a long time ago.
World Heritage List -: The World Heritage List is a list of very special places around the world that are protected because they are important to history and culture.
46th session -: The 46th session is a big meeting that happens every year where people talk about and decide which places should be added to the World Heritage List.
New Delhi -: New Delhi is the capital city of India. It is where the big meeting about the World Heritage List is happening this year.
World Heritage in Danger list -: The World Heritage in Danger list is for special places that are at risk of being damaged or destroyed. These places need extra help to be protected.
Israel and Hamas -: Israel is a country, and Hamas is a group that controls part of Palestine. They have been in conflict, which means they have been fighting.
Palestinian Ambassador to UNESCO -: The Palestinian Ambassador to UNESCO is a person who represents Palestine in UNESCO meetings. Monir Anastas is the current ambassador.
Gaza -: Gaza is a small area in Palestine where many people live. It has been affected by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
World Heritage Committee -: The World Heritage Committee is a group of people who decide which places should be added to the World Heritage List.
27 sites -: 27 sites are 27 different places that the World Heritage Committee is thinking about adding to the World Heritage List this year.
