UNESCO adds West Bank, Lebanon sites to heritage list; Israel protests

UNESCO's decision to inscribe sites in the West Bank and Lebanon onto its World Heritage list has ignited strong criticism from Israel, particularly concerning the inclusion of the ancient city of Hebron.

Israel's Foreign Ministry condemned the move, labeling it a politicization of the United Nations' cultural agency. The ministry stated that Hebron, a site of significant religious importance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, is currently under Israeli control and its inclusion on the list disregards this reality.

UNESCO's decision, made during a committee meeting, recognized the Old City of Hebron/Ibrahim Mosque as a Palestinian site. This designation has been a point of contention, with Israel arguing that such decisions ignore historical contexts and are driven by political motives rather than objective heritage assessment.

The inscription of Lebanese sites also proceeded, adding to the list of global heritage locations. However, the controversy surrounding the West Bank sites highlights the ongoing tensions and political complexities that often intersect with cultural heritage designations.