UNESCO has added a Lebanese castle and an archaeological site in the occupied West Bank to its list of World Heritage in Danger. The decision followed votes by all 196 member states of the UN agency.
The sites were listed in the context of Israeli activity, including a Lebanese castle recently conquered by Israeli forces. The West Bank site is located in Sebastia, a hilltop town about 10 kilometers northwest of Nablus.
Israel has rejected the listings, describing the nominations as a weaponization of cultural heritage. Israel previously withdrew from UNESCO in 2019, accusing the organization of being biased and downplaying its historical ties to the Holy Land.