Archaeological site on West Bank and Danish fossils added to UNESCO World Heritage List

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee has inscribed fossils from Denmark and the archaeological site of Sebastia on the northern West Bank onto the World Heritage List. The fossils, dating back 55 to 56 million years, represent ancient fish, birds, and turtles discovered in the Limfjord region of Denmark.

The committee, meeting in Busan, South Korea, also recognized Sebastia for its significant archaeological remains, some dating as far back as the 9th century BCE. However, the site was simultaneously placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, highlighting concerns for its preservation.

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We hope this decision will enable us to preserve Sebastia.

Nizar Kayed, deputy mayor of the village near Sebastia, expressed hope that the inscription would aid in preserving the site. This decision comes amidst Israeli efforts to expand settlements in the area, which Kayed described as part of Israeli pressure. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar rejected the decision, calling it a Palestinian attempt to obscure Jewish ties to the land and asserting that international votes cannot alter history.

Other sites added to the World Heritage List include Garamba National Park in the Congo, several castles in Lebanon, and a village in Tunisia. The inclusion of both natural and cultural sites underscores UNESCO's ongoing mission to protect global heritage.

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No vote in an international organization can change history.