The recent decision by UNESCO to name Saint Hilarion Monastery in the Gaza Strip, also known as Tell Umm Amer, as both a “World Heritage” and “World Heritage In Danger” site highlights the significance of the ancient monastery and the need for its preservation. This recognition was made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, indicating the historical value of the site in the Middle East.
The emergency procedure set forth in the World Heritage Convention was utilized to accelerate the inscription of the monastery to both lists, emphasizing the urgency of protecting sites that are under threat. The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip was cited as a potential risk to the archaeological site, prompting the use of this procedure by UNESCO. Despite remote monitoring through satellite imagery, no damage to the site has been identified thus far.
As Saint Hilarion Monastery receives dual designations from UNESCO, the 196 “State Parties” are obligated to prevent any direct or indirect harm to the site and contribute to its safeguarding. It is crucial for countries that ratified the World Heritage Convention to uphold their commitment to protect and preserve such valuable cultural heritage.
The withdrawal of the United States and Israel from UNESCO in 2018 due to perceived biases and geopolitical tensions has raised concerns about the organization’s effectiveness in addressing global heritage issues. While the United States has rejoined UNESCO under the Biden administration, Israel remains absent from the membership but continues to participate as a non-voting observer.
Global Perspective on World Heritage Sites
UNESCO’s World Heritage List currently includes 1,123 sites of outstanding universal value, with only 56 sites designated as “In Danger.” The simultaneous inscription of sites to both lists is not uncommon and serves as a mechanism to draw attention to locations facing various threats, such as war, natural disasters, pollution, or overtourism. These sites can benefit from technical and financial support for conservation efforts.
Emergency Inscription Process
The emergency procedure for simultaneous inscriptions requires a request from a State Party, as demonstrated by Palestine’s inclusion of Saint Hilarion Monastery on its Tentative List in 2012 and subsequent nomination in June 2024. The decision to inscribe the site was made by consensus among the Committee members, reflecting a collective effort to safeguard cultural heritage in the face of challenges.
UNESCO’s recognition of Saint Hilarion Monastery as a World Heritage Site underscores the importance of preserving cultural and historical landmarks in regions prone to conflict and instability. The dual designation of the monastery serves as a call to action for the global community to prioritize the protection of such irreplaceable heritage sites for future generations.