RAMALLAH /PNN /

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani Al-Hayek led a Palestinian delegation at an international conference on managing cultural heritage during conflict and post-recovery, highlighting the risks facing heritage sites across the Palestinian territories.

The conference, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Morocco, brought together international experts and policymakers to discuss strategies for protecting cultural heritage in conflict-affected areas.

Al-Hayek said Palestine’s participation reflects ongoing efforts to safeguard its tangible cultural heritage, describing it as a cornerstone of national identity and collective memory. He warned that heritage sites continue to suffer significant damage due to the Israeli occupation, pointing in particular to sites in the Gaza Strip, the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, Sebastia, and Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem.

“We continue to develop innovative approaches to managing cultural heritage in times of conflict by restoring these sites and strengthening the resilience of local communities,” Al-Hayek said. “We also seek to present a vision that bridges practical realities with theoretical frameworks for the management of cultural heritage sites.”

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is also set to deliver a specialized presentation titled “Managing World Heritage Sites in Conflict Situations: Between Theory and Practice.” The presentation will outline the challenges of managing heritage sites amid limited resources and restricted authority, while comparing these realities with internationally recognized frameworks.

Al-Hayek stressed the need for flexible management models that respond to the complexities of conflict environments while ensuring the protection of cultural heritage.