Nablus: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned on Wednesday the excavation and bulldozing works carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities at the Palestinian archaeological site of Sebastia, north of Nablus. These actions include bringing heavy machinery into the area surrounding the Roman amphitheater, tampering with and excavating the site, stealing its antiquities, and placing signs bearing the name "Samaria Park" at the archaeological site.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency, the Ministry stated that these works represent a flagrant violation of international law and an attempt to annex the occupied West Bank, imposing colonial facts on one of the most important and historic Palestinian World Heritage sites at risk. The Ministry warned of the serious threats facing the town of Sebastia, particularly following its inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger by UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, highlighting the urgent need for protection from these threats and violations.
The Ministry emphasized that such actions violate the obligations of the occupying power under international humanitarian law, which requires the protection of cultural property and prohibits harming it or using it to serve the purposes of occupation. It further noted that the actions run counter to the provisions of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
The Ministry affirmed that the looting, destruction, or alteration of Palestinian antiquities and their historical significance constitutes a violation of UNESCO conventions and international law. It targets Palestinian presence and world heritage, aiming to control the site and erase its historical identity. The Ministry called on UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee, UN organizations, and the international community to take urgent action to halt the excavation, bulldozing, tampering with, and theft of antiquities, ensure the protection of the site, preserve its authenticity and integrity, and prevent the implementation of any projects that could undermine its outstanding universal value.
It also called for concrete measures to halt the looting of Palestinian cultural heritage and hold the occupation accountable for its violations. The Ministry stressed that protecting Palestinian heritage requires effective measures on the ground, an end to the colonial occupation, and enabling the State of Palestine to exercise sovereignty over its land, resources, and heritage.