BETHLEHEM, July 24, 2026 (WAFA) — Palestine has successfully secured the inscription of the archaeological site of Sebastia on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani al-Hayek announced on Friday.

The decision was made during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held in Busan, South Korea.

The committee approved the listing of Sebastia under the emergency procedure and based on criterion (iii) of the World Heritage Convention, following the adoption of Palestine’s nomination file, which highlighted the site’s outstanding universal value as a unique testimony to the succession of civilizations and cultures that inhabited the area from the Iron Age through the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman periods.

In its decision, the committee said Sebastia is distinguished by its multiple archaeological layers and clear historical sequence, reflecting the continuous development of an urban, political, and religious center over more than two millennia, giving the site exceptional universal value deserving protection under the World Heritage Convention.

The committee also decided to place the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to what it described as serious threats, including Israeli occupation-related measures, land seizure plans, projects aimed at altering the historical and archaeological character of the site, and restrictions affecting protection, management, and preservation efforts.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities welcomed the decision, describing the inscription of Sebastia as a historic national achievement that reflects Palestine’s cultural significance and demonstrates its commitment to protecting its cultural heritage in accordance with international standards despite challenges posed by Israeli occupation practices.

M.N