UNESCO declares ruins near Jericho a world heritage site – criticism from Israel You need that much money to be happy without any worries

UNESCO on Sunday recognized the ruins near the ancient city of Jericho as a Palestinian World Heritage site, sparking criticism from Israel. The UN cultural organization voted at a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to add the site of Tell as-Sultan to a corresponding list of world heritage sites.

The Israeli state has not been a member of UNESCO since 2019 because it considers the organization biased against Israel, but was present in Riyadh as an observer, according to media reports.

A spokesperson for Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Israel saw the decision as “another sign of the cynical use of UNESCO by the Palestinians and of the politicization of the organization.” With the help of friendly states, Israel will work to “change all wrong decisions.”

The archaeological ruin at Jericho is located in the southern West Bank, which Israel captured along with other areas in 1967. Palestinians claim it is part of an independent state of Palestine, with the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem as its capital. Israel, however, rejects this; many members of the country’s right-wing religious camp claim the West Bank as part of the Jewish state.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday welcomed UNESCO’s decision as “extremely important.” It testifies to “the authenticity and history of the Palestinian people. He emphasized that “the State of Palestine is committed to preserving this unique place for the benefit of humanity.”

(hah/sda/dpa)