Hebron Municipality holds a workshop on the inscription of Hebron on the World Heritage List

The workshop aimed at informing local institutions of methods and mechanisms to inscribe historical cities on the WHL, difficulties faced by Hebron Municipality in this regard and the importance of popular and institutional cooperation to support Hebron’s nomination file.

In his opening speech, Hebron Mayor Khaled Osaily said he was pleased that many local institutions have taken part in the workshop. “This workshop is the fruit of joint efforts by national, official and educational institutions in Palestine and abroad. It reflects huge work and efforts made to promote Hebron’s civilisation and to protect the heritage of past generations against Israeli ambitions. Aggressive attacks by Israel against our holy places, especially in Jerusalem and Hebron, prove that Israel’s ties to this Holy Land which has been Arab and Moslem ever since it was inhabited by the Canaanites are questionable. Israeli measures, including the annexing of land for settlements as well as decisions by the extremist Israeli government, including its latest decision to inscribe Al Ibrahimi Mosque on Israel’s Heritage List, attest to Israel’s weakness and failure. However, in light of Israel’s policies, national institutions and the PNA have joined hands to protect the Old City and to face settlement policies. In this regard, Hebron Municipality has implemented several development projects with a view to protecting the Old City. Moreover, President Abbas and the Council of Ministers under the leadership of PM Fayyad have made great efforts to rehabilitate and revive the Old City”, he said. Mayor Osaily detailed the pragmatic decisions taken by both Abbas and Fayyad to support the steadfastness of Old City inhabitants and to back the inscription of the Old City on the WHL. He also touched on their directives to all ministries and institutions to support this project and to ensure that it materializes in the near future.

Dr. Samir Abou Zneid, acting Governor of Hebron, said that special attention should be given to the Old City to ensure its security and the safety of its inhabitants, given Israeli measures and complications in that area. Hebron Governorate, he said, fully supports this project and shall establish a real partnership between all Governorate bodies to ensure the success of this project, the implementation of all its activities and the respect of all relevant conditions.

Mr. Hamdan Taha, Assistant undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, presented a paper during the workshop on “Inscription of sites on the WHL”. He detailed technical conditions to be met, information to be included in the nomination file, as well as the benefits this project would generate.
Eng. Ala’a Shahin, Project Director, presented a second paper describing the project phases which have been achieved as well as undergoing and future work. He detailed the various project phases and the vision according to which this project is implemented.

Dr. Anwar Abou Eisha, who teaches law at Al Quds University and chairs the Cultural Exchange Association between Hebron and France, spoke about the opportunities this project presents. He also touched on the legal provisions governing the inscription of occupied cities on the WHL, means to face Israel’s campaign against Moslem holy places from a legal point of view, and how to employ international ties to promote this campaign.

Mr. Imad Hamdan, HRC Director, and Dr. No’mane Amre who is in charge of Hebron area at Al Quds Open University, presented two papers on the history of Hebron, the importance of safeguarding its heritage, as well as achievements made in the rehabilitation of old buildings and the protection of their architectural character.

The workshop ended with a Q &A session during which questions were raised and observations were made. This session reflected a great deal of interest in the project, a strong will to take part in it and appreciation of steps taken in this regard.

This initiative, which aims at inscribing the Old City of Hebron on the World Heritage List, is supported by Hebron Municipality as well as by Arceuil and Belfort Municipalities in France. It is also supported by many decision-makers, political and cultural leaders as well as intellectuals from various parts of the world.