UNESCO petitioned to save Lebanon's heritage sites from Israeli strikes

RFI

17 November 2024 at 10:13 am·1-min read

The six columns of the Temple of Jupiter in the ancient city of Baalbek, threatened by the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, pictured on 17 July 2022.

Hundreds of cultural professionals – including archaeologists and academics – have called on the United Nations to safeguard Lebanon's heritage sites in a petition published ahead of a crucial UNESCO meeting in Paris.

Several Israeli strikes in recent weeks on Baalbek in the east of Lebanon and Tyre in the south – both strongholds of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah – hit close to ancient Roman ruins designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The petition, signed by 300 prominent cultural figures, was sent to UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay on Sunday – a day before a special session in the French capital to consider listing Lebanese cultural sites under "enhanced protection".

It urges UNESCO to protect Baalbek and other heritage sites by establishing "no-target zones" around them, deploying international observers and enforcing measures from the 1954 Hague Convention on cultural heritage in conflict.

"Lebanon's cultural heritage at large is being endangered by recurrent assaults on ancient cities such as Baalbek, Tyre and Anjar, all UNESCO world heritage sites, as well as on other historic landmarks," the petition says.

It calls on influential states to push for an end to military action that causes destruction of damage to sites, as well as adding protections or introducing sanctions.

Immunity from military attacks

CNN
Why Israel captured Syria’s tallest mountain just hours after Assad fell
Israel wasted no time after Bashar al-Assad’s fall to bomb all the Syrian military assets it wanted to keep out of the rebels’ hands – striking nearly 500 targets, destroying the navy, and taking out, it claims, 90% of Syria’s known surface-to-air missiles.
CNN
Battered corpses show the horrors of life and death under Syria’s Assad
The 35 or so bodies were found in a military hospital in the Syrian capital of Damascus, days after the regime fell. They are believed to be among the last victims of Assad.
HuffPost
7 Times Tulsi Gabbard Went To Bat In Congress For Now-Deposed Syrian Dictator Bashar Assad
Gabbard, a recent Donald Trump Cabinet pick, predicted catastrophe if Assad were overthrown. So far, things have played out differently.
BBC
Bloody siege ends Myanmar army control of western border
Insurgents seized Myanmar's border with Bangladesh in one of the bloodiest battles of the civil war.
NewsWire
Cops charge protester for Hezbollah flag
A man has been charged with allegedly displaying the flag of terrorist organisation Hezbollah during a pro-Palestine protest.
Reuters
Russian cargo plane departs Syria for Libya, more flights expected, official says
LATAKIA, Syria (Reuters) -A Russian cargo plane departed from Russia's air base in the Syrian port city of Latakia for Libya on Saturday, a Syrian security official stationed outside the facility said, following rebels' overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad last weekend. The official told Reuters that additional Russian departures from the Hmeimim air base in Syria's coastal Latakia province were expected in the coming days. Increased activity has been observed at the air base throughout the day.
CNN
Blinken makes unannounced trip to Iraq as international community grapples with Syrian regime collapse
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq Friday to meet with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as the international community grapples with the implications of the Syrian government’s collapse.
HuffPost UK
Russia Will Now Have To 'Repair Its Reputation' As An Ally After Assad's Fall, UK Says
Putin had been propping up the Syrian regime for years.
Euronews
More than 30 Palestinians killed in Israeli air strike on Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza
The strike came just hours after US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser raised hopes about a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas and that would end more than a year of war in the Strip.View on euronews
Australian Associated Press
Protester charged for alleged display of Hezbollah flag
Australian Federal Police have charged a man after he allegedly waved a flag from the banned terrorist organisation Hezbollah during a protest.
Yahoo News Australia
Stark warning after Aussies share incredible 40kg find on popular beach
Volunteers have issued a call to action to other wildlife enthusiasts to help rid the pest from Aussie waterways.
Parade
Sami Sheen Leaves Fans 'Drooling' With 'Outstanding' Cheeky Swimsuit Pics
The celebrity daughter put her assets on display in new photos.
BuzzFeed
People Can't Believe Donald Trump's Response To Being Asked About His Plans To Lower Grocery Prices
"Look, they got them up. I'd like to bring them down. It's hard to bring things down once they're up. You know, it's very hard." —Donald Trump
HuffPost
Stephen Colbert Predicts Wildly Petty Trump Act That Will Make Headlines Next
"You know that's coming," the "Late Show" host joked.
Yahoo Lifestyle
Kmart shopper shocked by $49 item that's better than $500 version: 'This is insane'
A Kmart shopper has found a $49 item that's better than $500 version of the same thing. Read more.
Yahoo News Australia
Incredible discovery during Aussie man's beach walk: 'Dangerous business'
The man was enjoying a walk when suddenly he noticed something eerie floating above his head.
Yahoo Sport Australia
Fans left saddened for Allan Border as Australian Cricket Awards rocked by shock 25-year first
It's sparked more questions about the jam-packed cricket calendar. Read more here.
NewsWire
Update on man who allegedly raped 90yo
The case that traumatised the Central Coast region of NSW last year has taken another turn after the alleged victim died from her injuries.
The Hill
Opinion - US would face a 4-way axis in confrontation with China
Even those who wish to focus solely on a possible conflict with China should recognize that Beijing has allies who almost certainly would come to its aid.
HuffPost
Blue Ivy Carter Sparks Controversy By Wearing What Some Call A ‘Wildly Inappropriate’ Dress
Certain social media users criticized the outfit, but many others voiced support for the 12-year-old daughter of Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

Immunity from military attacks

Latest stories