Diplomatic delegation inspects Israeli occupation violations in Bethlehem Governorate

Ramallah, August 10 (KUNA) -- The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates organized a field tour on Monday for the diplomatic corps accredited to it in the Bethlehem Governorate, to familiarize them with the violations committed by the Israeli occupation and its settlement policies targeting land, citizens, and archaeological and historical sites in the governorate. The tour included Silwan, as well as the neighborhoods of Wadi Joz and Hizma, which are subjected to continuous attacks by settlers and attempts to impose control over the land in an effort to create a new reality.

Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani al-Haik emphasized that the tour provided an opportunity to convey a true and direct picture of what is happening on the ground and to inform representatives of countries about Israeli measures targeting sites and seeking to undermine the foundations of the existence of the Palestinian state. Al-Haik explained during the tour that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is working to intensify the Palestinian presence at these sites, activate domestic tourism, and rehabilitate and restore archaeological sites to make them accessible for tourist, cultural, and educational benefit.

He noted that the ministry continues its efforts to protect the Silwan site by acting at both the international and local levels to safeguard Palestinian tangible cultural heritage and counter attempts by the occupation to erase the historical and national identity of the site, given its connection to Palestinian history and national identity. He added that the ministry is working to include the Silwan site in the “Enhanced Protection” system for cultural heritage, which contributes to providing a higher level of international protection for the site.

Bethlehem Governor Mohammad Taha spoke about the daily measures taken by the occupation authorities and the governorate’s exposure to raids, home demolitions, the imposition of military orders, land confiscation, and settlement expansion. For his part, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates for Political Affairs Omar Abdelwahed discussed the importance of field tours for the diplomatic corps, describing them as one of the tools through which the State of Palestine conveys its messages to the international community and places country representatives face the reality of what the Palestinian people are subjected to on the ground. Abdelwahed stressed the importance of continuing diplomatic activism to expose these practices and mobilize international support for the legitimate national rights of the Palestinians.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, this tour, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, aims to enhance diplomatic presence on the ground, deliver the Palestinian message directly to country representatives, and affirm that protecting Palestinian archaeological and historical sites constitutes an integral part of safeguarding national identity in the face of attempts to erase and alter its features. (End) N.Q./A.B.G.