PARIS, July 14, 2025 (WAFA) – The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), during its 47th session currently taking place in the French capital, Paris, has officially adopted a statement reaffirming the Outstanding Universal Value of the Old City of Hebron, which has been inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2017.
This decision comes as a culmination of sustained Palestinian efforts to protect Hebron’s historic center and strengthen its recognition on the global cultural stage.
The city is acknowledged as a heritage site that embodies a unique spiritual, cultural, and human history. The decision is grounded in UNESCO’s criteria, which highlight the exchange of human values across civilizations, the exceptional preservation of traditional urban fabric, and the religious and spiritual importance of the site, most notably the Ibrahimi Mosque (Cave of the Patriarchs).
The Permanent Delegation of the State of Palestine to UNESCO stated that the adoption of this declaration constitutes international recognition of Hebron as an integral part of world heritage. It also underscores the urgency of protecting the city in the face of mounting threats, especially those resulting from Israeli colonial expansion, movement restrictions, and systematic efforts to alter the character of the Ibrahimi Mosque.
The delegation emphasized that the decision strengthens UNESCO’s commitment to its responsibility of safeguarding World Heritage Sites, particularly those under threat.
It further called on the international community to take immediate steps to protect Hebron’s Old City from any actions that could compromise its historical and cultural integrity.
The delegation renewed its gratitude to the member states that voted in favor of adopting the resolution. It affirmed that the struggle to protect Palestinian heritage is ongoing, and that this decision will serve as an international point of reference in confronting continued Israeli violations in the city, particularly in and around the Ibrahimi Mosque.
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