The Tell es-Sultan archaeological site in Jericho has been officially designated as a "World Heritage Site in Palestine" by the United Nations World Heritage Committee. The decision was announced at a conference in Riyadh, according to UNESCO's official X account, previously known as Twitter.
The Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision, while Israel expressed ire.
This West Bank city used to be an oasis of calm. Not anymore
The recently designated location in Jericho, situated in the West Bank which is occupied by Israel, showcases archaeological remains that can be traced back to the ninth millennium BCE. Jericho holds the esteemed status of being one of the oldest cities that has been consistently inhabited throughout history.
In response to this development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian Authority expressed appreciation for the decision and highlighted Jericho's cultural, economic, and political importance. They described the designation as a clear acknowledgment of the city's 10,000 years of significant human progress. A statement regarding this matter was released on Sunday.
In a statement sent to CNN on Sunday, Rula Maayah, the PA Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, emphasized the importance of the decision, stating that the site holds great significance and is a precious component of the diverse Palestinian heritage. Maayah also recognized the site's exceptional global value that makes it eligible to be designated as one of the World Heritage sites.
The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed disapproval of the decision, stating that it perceived the action as a further indication of the Palestinians' cynical exploitation of UNESCO and the organization's politicization. Positioned in the Jordan Valley, Jericho is nestled between the Jordan River in the east and Jerusalem in the west.
Jericho, dating back to the modern Stone Age, celebrated its title as the oldest walled city in the world in 2010. CNN's Kareem Khadder and Richard Greene reported from Jerusalem, while Eyad Kourdi provided his insights from Gaziantep, Turkey.
