Foreign Ministry welcomes UNESCO declaring ancient city of Jericho as World Heritage Site of the State of Palestine

RAMALLAH, Monday, September 18, 2023 (WAFA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates today welcomed the unanimous decision by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee declaring the ancient city of Jericho as a World Heritage Site of the State of Palestine.

“Today, Jericho rightly joins the list of invaluable world heritage sites, as the cradle of civilization and the oldest continuously inhabited town on Earth. Jericho’s cultural, economic, and political significance is unparalleled in Palestinian and world history,” said the Foreign Ministry in a statement.

“The UNESCO decision is an affirmation of Jericho’s rich, uninterrupted, and long-lasting heritage as embodied by 10,000 years of human development. The decision also reflects the international community’s endorsement of Palestine’s invaluable contribution to world history and human heritage and Palestinian right to self-determination over their cultural resources and rights,” it added.

“The State of Palestine reiterates its firm commitment to work with UNESCO to defend the Palestinian people’s right to preserve, protect, and develop cultural heritage against all dangers, pillages, and attacks, and calls on the international community to join in protecting Palestinian cultural heritage for generations to come,” the Ministry concluded its statement.