Palestinian Monastery inscribed on World Heritage List and List of World Heritage in Danger

The emergency inscription procedure was invoked due to the imminent threats posed to this ancient site by the current regional conflicts.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, convening in New Delhi, India, has officially inscribed the Monastery of Saint Hilarion/Tell Umm Amer in Palestine onto both the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger. This dual inscription acknowledges the site's significant historical value while highlighting the urgent need to safeguard it amid ongoing conflicts in the Gaza Strip.

The emergency inscription procedure was invoked due to the imminent threats posed to this ancient site by the current regional conflicts. According to the World Heritage Convention, all 195 States Parties are obligated to avoid actions that could cause harm to this newly inscribed site and to support its protection.

Being listed on the World Heritage in Danger opens up avenues for increased international technical and financial assistance to ensure the site's preservation and potential rehabilitation if needed.

The Monastery of Saint Hilarion/Tell Umm Amer, founded by Saint Hilarion, is one of the oldest monastic sites in the Middle East. It served as the home of the first monastic community in the Holy Land and was a prominent center for religious, cultural, and economic exchanges during the Byzantine period. Its location at a major crossroads of trade between Asia and Africa contributed to its historical significance.

In addition to the World Heritage listings, the monastery was granted ‘provisional enhanced protection’ by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict during its 18th session in December 2023. This measure under the 1954 Hague Convention and its Second Protocol underscores the global commitment to preserving cultural heritage in conflict zones.