UNESCO recognized ruins near the ancient city of Jericho as a Palestinian world heritage site on Sunday, drawing criticism from Israel. The UN cultural organization voted at a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to add the Tell as-Sultan site to a corresponding list of world heritage sites.
The Israeli state has not been a member of UNESCO since 2019 because it considers the organization biased against Israel, but, according to media reports, it was present in Riyadh as an observer.
An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman said Israel saw the decision as “a further sign of the Palestinians’ cynical use of UNESCO and the politicization of the organization.” Israel, with the help of friendly states, will work to “change all wrong decisions.”
The archaeological ruin near Jericho is located in the southern West Bank, which Israel conquered along with other areas in 1967. Palestinians claim it as part of an independent state of Palestine, with the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem as its capital. However, Israel rejects this; Many members of the country’s right-wing religious camp claim the West Bank as part of the Jewish state.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hailed UNESCO’s decision on Sunday as “extremely important.” It bears witness to “the authenticity and history of the Palestinian people.” He emphasized that “the State of Palestine is committed to preserving this unique site for the benefit of humanity.”