A United Nations committee in South Korea has added a major archaeological site in the West Bank and a group of five castles in southern Lebanon to its World Heritage and World Heritage in Danger lists. The decision followed votes by all 196 member states of the agency.
The designated sites include Sebastia, a hilltop town located approximately 10 kilometers northwest of Nablus in the occupied West Bank, and historic castles in southern Lebanon, including one recently conquered by Israeli forces.
Israel condemned the listings as a political decision and the weaponization of cultural heritage, having urged the committee to reject the bids. In contrast, Palestinian officials welcomed the designation of Sebastia, expressing hope that it will prevent Israel from extending its control at the ancient village.
This move reignites a long-running dispute over the intersection of politics and cultural heritage in the region. Israel previously withdrew from UNESCO in 2019, accusing the organization of bias and of downplaying its historical ties to the Holy Land.