NABLUS, June 20, 2026 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa visited the town of Sebastia in the Nablus governorate on Saturday, accompanied by several ministers, in a show of support for the town's resilience amid ongoing targeting by Israeli occupation forces and colonists.
The visit was attended by Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas, official and community figures, municipal leaders, and representatives of local institutions and national organizations. The visit carried a political and national message affirming Palestinian people's attachment to their land, heritage, and identity.
Mustafa said Sebastia is not merely an archaeological site but a living Palestinian model of resilience, development, and determination, reflecting the Palestinian people's commitment to their history and future despite ongoing challenges.
He argued that current developments extend beyond attempts to control land and form part of broader efforts to transform the Israeli occupation into a project of ethnic cleansing, adding that such attempts would ultimately fail.
“The [Israeli] occupation believed that what is happening in Gaza would provide an opportunity to impose new realities, but it was mistaken,” Mustafa said. “Gaza has remained steadfast despite the scale of destruction, killing, starvation, displacement, and suffering. Jerusalem has endured, Sebastia will endure, and our people will remain committed to their national and historical rights.”
The prime minister stressed the importance of protecting Palestinian cultural and historical heritage and reaffirmed the government's full support for efforts to secure Sebastia’s inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
He called on national institutions, local communities, and Palestinians to support the initiative, describing it as a strategic step to protect the site from attempts to isolate, target, or alter its historical character.
Mustafa added that the government would continue working with relevant parties to protect vulnerable areas and promote development, describing such efforts as an integral part of the broader struggle for national steadfastness.
Sebastia is considered one of the most significant and diverse archaeological sites in Palestine, with a history spanning more than 5,000 years and reflecting the influence of numerous civilizations that have left architectural and cultural marks on the site.
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