As massive bombs are raining down on Gaza Strip, the fate of its population, their homes and
properties becomes increasingly desperate. ICOMOS Palestine condemns the Israeli occupation’s
bombing of the Gaza Strip and pleads for the safety of Palestinians and the significant heritage of
this land.
In light of the current Israeli aggression on Gaza and the Palestinians, ICOMOS Palestine and other
ICOMOS committees in the Arab region mourn with deep sorrow and sadness the loss of innocent
lives. Our thoughts are with the Palestinians in Gaza, our colleagues, and their families. We are
extremely concerned for their safety at these risky times.
We urge our partners and international alliances, both in the Arab region and worldwide, to demand
the cease of the intense bombing of the Gaza Strip, and that the innocent civilians be granted access
to basic human rights of food, water, and electricity. It is imperative to provide urgent humanitarian
needs for the people living in Gaza, ensure their safety, and allow a secure corridor to deliver both
humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza.
ICOMOS Palestine is profoundly grieved by the recent acts of destruction targeting Gaza Strip.
Intensified air raids are targeting residential and governmental buildings, vital infrastructure and
most alarmingly, cultural heritage properties. The area contains precious historical sites and
monuments that are at high risk of destruction. These sites represent the rich cultural and historical
heritage of the Palestinian people. They are an integral part of the Palestinian people’s collective
identity, and serve as symbols of its rich cultural and historical legacy.
Above all, these areas are not just physical spaces; they hold the memories and stories of many
generations of Palestinians. We are concerned about the church of Saint Porphyrius, a precious relic
of our past and the Christian history of this land. We are worried about the building of the Ministry
of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, which contains a lab for the restoration of historic manuscripts and
invaluable historic documents from the Al-Omari Mosque. We are concerned about The Byzantine
Church of Jabalya. The Archaeological site of Balakhia (Ancient Anthedon) which possesses Roman
historical features, is a vibrant part that bears witness to the continued existence of the Gaza Strip,
is also at risk. The people of the Gaza Strip, who are the custodians and guardians of this priceless
heritage, have suffered greatly as a result of the continuous bombing of portions of the historic
centre, particularly the Al-Zeitoun neighbourhood, Al-Tuffah, and Al-Shejaiya neighbourhoods.
ICOMOS Palestine calls for an immediate cessation of destruction activities and appeals to the
international community for urgent intervention to protect cultural properties in Gaza in accordance
with the international conventions.
ICOMOS Palestine urges the international community to acknowledge the significance of protecting
our people and our cultural heritage and to put an immediate end to the harmful and illegal actions
against the Gaza Strip and Palestine
ICOMOS Plea (13 October 2023)
Palestine, October 13, 2023
As massive bombs are raining down on Gaza Strip, the fate of its population, their homes and
properties becomes increasingly desperate. ICOMOS Palestine condemns the Israeli occupation’s
bombing of the Gaza Strip and pleads for the safety of Palestinians and the significant heritage of
this land.
In light of the current Israeli aggression on Gaza and the Palestinians, ICOMOS Palestine and other
ICOMOS committees in the Arab region mourn with deep sorrow and sadness the loss of innocent
lives. Our thoughts are with the Palestinians in Gaza, our colleagues, and their families. We are
extremely concerned for their safety at these risky times.
We urge our partners and international alliances, both in the Arab region and worldwide, to demand
the cease of the intense bombing of the Gaza Strip, and that the innocent civilians be granted access
to basic human rights of food, water, and electricity. It is imperative to provide urgent humanitarian
needs for the people living in Gaza, ensure their safety, and allow a secure corridor to deliver both
humanitarian and medical aid to Gaza.
ICOMOS Palestine is profoundly grieved by the recent acts of destruction targeting Gaza Strip.
Intensified air raids are targeting residential and governmental buildings, vital infrastructure and
most alarmingly, cultural heritage properties. The area contains precious historical sites and
monuments that are at high risk of destruction. These sites represent the rich cultural and historical
heritage of the Palestinian people. They are an integral part of the Palestinian people’s collective
identity, and serve as symbols of its rich cultural and historical legacy.
Above all, these areas are not just physical spaces; they hold the memories and stories of many
generations of Palestinians. We are concerned about the church of Saint Porphyrius, a precious relic
of our past and the Christian history of this land. We are worried about the building of the Ministry
of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, which contains a lab for the restoration of historic manuscripts and
invaluable historic documents from the Al-Omari Mosque. We are concerned about The Byzantine
Church of Jabalya. The Archaeological site of Balakhia (Ancient Anthedon) which possesses Roman
historical features, is a vibrant part that bears witness to the continued existence of the Gaza Strip,
is also at risk. The people of the Gaza Strip, who are the custodians and guardians of this priceless
heritage, have suffered greatly as a result of the continuous bombing of portions of the historic
centre, particularly the Al-Zeitoun neighbourhood, Al-Tuffah, and Al-Shejaiya neighbourhoods.
ICOMOS Palestine calls for an immediate cessation of destruction activities and appeals to the
international community for urgent intervention to protect cultural properties in Gaza in accordance
with the international conventions.
ICOMOS Palestine urges the international community to acknowledge the significance of protecting
our people and our cultural heritage and to put an immediate end to the harmful and illegal actions
against the Gaza Strip and Palestine