Amman, July 8 (Petra) – The Ministry of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs welcomed the unanimous adoption on Tuesday by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee at its 47th session in Paris of a decision to maintain the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls on the list of World Heritage in Danger. The decision cited Israeli measures threatening the cultural heritage of Jerusalem’s Old City and altering its existing status.

Ministry spokesperson Sufyan Qudah said all Israeli actions aimed at changing the Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity of occupied Jerusalem, as well as altering its historical and legal status, are null, void, and illegitimate.

He emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, must stop all violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites, describing such actions as breaches of international law and undermining efforts to achieve a two-state solution and comprehensive, just peace in the region.

Qudah affirmed that the decision reiterates previous committee resolutions and recalled UNESCO’s expressions of regret over Israel’s failure to halt illegal excavations, tunnels, and other activities in East Jerusalem. The statement also condemned Israel’s refusal to implement UNESCO’s request to appoint a permanent representative based in East Jerusalem to provide regular reports on all UNESCO-related issues there. It emphasized the urgent need to deploy UNESCO’s reactive monitoring mission to the Old City and its walls and to exert all efforts to ensure the mission’s immediate implementation.

The ministry spokesperson highlighted that the adoption of the resolution came after intensive Jordanian diplomatic efforts coordinated with Palestine and the Arab and Islamic groups within the organization. This underscores Jordan’s firm stance on protecting the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls, including its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

//Petra// AF

08/07/2025 21:46:46