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Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar urges int'l community to assume its moral, legal role of protecting occupied Palestine heritage
QNA Paris Qatar, in its capacity as Vice-Chair of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and representative of the Arab Group, has called on the international community to assume its moral and legal responsibilities to protect cultural heritage sites in the occupied Palestinian territories. The call came at the conclusion of the World Heritage Committee's session, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, emphasising that the preservation of humanity's heritage is a collective responsibility that cannot tolerate complacency or neglect, especially in light of the growing threats facing this legacy in conflict areas. In his remarks at the closing session, Qatar's Permanent Representative to UNESCO HE Dr Nasser bin Hamad Al Henzab said that this session has once again reaffirmed the importance of joint action and the need to strengthen international cooperation to protect World Heritage sites from the multiple threats they face, whether stemming from climate change, conflicts, or natural or human-induced deterioration. He stressed that Qatar firmly believes that protecting humanity's heritage is a shared responsibility that requires effective partnerships and a comprehensive approach combining expertise, knowledge, and political will. Al Henzab pointed out that in the face of escalating conflicts around the world, global cultural heritage now faces unprecedented danger, with humanity's memory, which is rich in symbols and identity, becoming vulnerable to destruction, looting, or marginalisation. He added that this world heritage is a common legacy of all humanity, representing its story, diversity, and shared experiences. He stressed that destroying cultural heritage erases not only stones and buildings, but also obliterates ancestral narratives, severs people's connection to their past, and undermines opportunities for reconciliation and recovery after conflict. He affirmed that Qatar, as vice-chair of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and representative of the Arab Group, views the targeting of cultural heritage sites in Palestine, whether in Ramallah or Gaza, as a continued and blatant violation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention. He specifically highlighted the ongoing threats to the Ibrahimi Mosque (Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi) due to Israeli occupation practices, including attempts to alter and seize it, calling on the international community and the World Heritage Centre to take immediate action to protect this historic site in accordance with relevant World Heritage Committee resolutions. Dr Al Henzab explained that Qatar's position stems from a deep conviction of the need to preserve heritage as a fundamental pillar of identity and cultural diversity, noting that Qatar has long paid great attention to protecting its own cultural and natural heritage and remains fully committed to the standards and principles of the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention. He confirmed Qatar's keenness to support international efforts to preserve listed sites through unique initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the importance of heritage as a key component of sustainable development. He renewed Qatar's unwavering commitment to the principles of the World Heritage Convention and expressed his aspiration for continued constructive cooperation with all international partners to safeguard this shared heritage and ensure its preservation and enhancement for future generations.
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar calls on international community to assume responsibility of protecting occupied Palestine's heritage
Paris The State of Qatar, in its capacity as Vice-Chair of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and representative of the Arab Group, has called on the international community to assume its moral and legal responsibilities to protect cultural heritage sites in the occupied Palestinian territories. This call came at the conclusion of the World Heritage Committee's session, held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, emphasizing that the preservation of humanity's heritage is a collective responsibility that cannot tolerate complacency or neglect, especially in light of the growing threats facing this legacy in conflict areas. In his remarks at the closing session, Qatar's Permanent Representative to UNESCO HE Dr Nasser bin Hamad Al Henzab said that this session has once again reaffirmed the importance of joint action and the need to strengthen international cooperation to protect World Heritage sites from the multiple threats they face, whether stemming from climate change, conflicts, or natural or human-induced deterioration. He stressed that the State of Qatar firmly believes that protecting humanity's heritage is a shared responsibility that requires effective partnerships and a comprehensive approach combining expertise, knowledge, and political will. Al Henzab pointed out that in the face of escalating conflicts around the world, highlighting that global cultural heritage now faces unprecedented danger, with humanity's memory, which is rich in symbols and identity, becoming vulnerable to destruction, looting, or marginalization. He added that this world heritage is a common legacy of all humanity, representing its story, diversity, and shared experiences. He stressed that destroying cultural heritage erases not only stones and buildings, but also obliterates ancestral narratives, severs people's connection to their past, and undermines opportunities for reconciliation and recovery after conflict. He affirmed that the State of Qatar, as Vice-Chair of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and representative of the Arab Group, views the targeting of cultural heritage sites in Palestine, whether in Ramallah or Gaza, as a continued and blatant violation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention. He specifically highlighted the ongoing threats to the Ibrahimi Mosque (Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi) due to Israeli occupation practices, including attempts to alter and seize it, calling on the international community and the World Heritage Centre to take immediate action to protect this historic site in accordance with relevant World Heritage Committee resolutions. Dr Al Henzab explained that the State of Qatar's position stems from a deep conviction of the need to preserve heritage as a fundamental pillar of identity and cultural diversity, noting that Qatar has long paid great attention to protecting its own cultural and natural heritage and remains fully committed to the standards and principles of the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention. He confirmed the State of Qatar's keenness to support international efforts to preserve listed sites through unique initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the importance of heritage as a key component of sustainable development. He renewed Qatar's unwavering commitment to the principles of the World Heritage Convention and expressed his aspiration for continued constructive cooperation with all international partners to safeguard this shared heritage and ensure its preservation and enhancement for future generations.
Middle East Eye
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
US warns countries not to join French, Saudi UN conference on Palestine: Report
The US is lobbying foreign governments not to attend a UN conference next week sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia on a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to a US diplomatic cable reported by Reuters. The cable, sent to countries on Tuesday, warns them against taking "anti-Israel actions" and says attending the conference would be viewed by Washington as acting against US foreign policy interests. France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is a US ally in Nato. Saudi Arabia is one of the US's closest Middle East partners. US President Donald Trump was feted during a May visit to Riyadh, where Saudi Arabia signed billions of dollars of investment deals with the US. France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting the gathering between 17 and 20 June in New York. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "We are urging governments not to participate in the conference, which we view as counterproductive to ongoing, life-saving efforts to end the war in Gaza and free hostages," the cable says, according to Reuters. "The United States opposes any steps that would unilaterally recognise a conjectural Palestinian state, which adds significant legal and political obstacles to the eventual resolution of the conflict and could coerce Israel during a war, thereby supporting its enemies,' it added. France had been lobbying the UK and other European allies to recognise a Palestinian state at the conference. However, Middle East Eye reported in June that the US has warned Britain and France against recognising a Palestinian state at the conference. At the same time, Arab states have been urging them to proceed with the move, sources told MEE. In late May, United Nations member states held consultations in preparation for the conference, during which the Arab Group urged states to recognise Palestinian statehood. The Arab Group said they would measure the success of the conference by whether significant states recognise Palestine, sources in the UK Foreign Office told MEE. Since the 1950s, successive American administrations have stated that their ultimate goal in ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a two-state solution. Many experts and diplomats have earmarked occupied East Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, which Israel seized from Egypt and Jordan in the 1967 war, as the heartland of a future Palestinian state. But US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Bloomberg News on Tuesday that a Palestinian state in the occupied West Bank was no longer a US policy goal. He said Israel's 'Muslim neighbours' could give up their land to create one. According to the cable, the US said that "unilaterally recognizing a Palestinian state would effectively render Oct. 7 Palestinian Independence Day'. Hamas led an attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing around 1,200 people. Israel responded by launching a devastating assault on Gaza that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children, and reduced the enclave to rubble. The US cable also said Washington was working with Egypt and Qatar to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and free the captives there. "This conference undermines these delicate negotiations and emboldens Hamas at a time when the terrorist group has rejected proposals by the negotiators that Israel has accepted,' it said. The Trump administration pushed Israel to agree to a three-phase ceasefire with Hamas in January. Israel broke that agreement by refusing to begin talks on ending the war permanently and unilaterally resumed attacking Gaza.
Asharq Al-Awsat
31-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Buildex Exhibition Reveals Strong Regional and International Interest in Syria's Reconstruction
Damascus has hosted the 22nd edition of the International Building Exhibition 'Buildex,' its first since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. The event drew strong participation and visitor turnout, signaling renewed interest in Syria's reconstruction. More than 740 companies took part, including 490 local firms and 250 international companies from 39 countries. The exhibition was held at the new fairgrounds near Damascus International Airport. Notably, Turkish, Saudi, and Jordanian companies led the foreign participation, with Türkiye contributing over 150 firms, by far the largest foreign presence. Saudi Arabia and Jordan followed with 28 companies each, while China participated with 10. In contrast, companies from Iran and Russia, once dominant at the exhibition, were entirely absent. This shift reflects the waning influence of both countries following Syria's political transformation. Exhibitors represented sectors including construction materials, engineering, renewable energy, real estate development, water technology, and banking. Organizers described the exhibition as the largest economic event since sanctions on Syria were lifted by the US and European Union. In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ilama Matar, International Marketing Manager at the Arab Group for Exhibitions, said this was the 'first edition after liberation.' She noted that during the war, only two limited editions were held in 2023 and 2024. She called the Saudi presence particularly important, with Al-Ojaimi Industrial Group - a major Saudi company in the electrical sector - serving as the main sponsor. B2B meetings were primarily held between Syrian, Saudi, and Jordanian companies, focusing on material supply chains and import logistics. Matar said some companies came only as visitors due to lack of available space. 'The energy here shows that Syria is open for business,' Matar said. 'This is the first major event after sanctions were lifted, and companies are moving quickly to enter the market.' Among the participating Saudi firms were United Transformers Electric Company, Plus Cable, Middle East Specialized Cables, and Sulfur Middle East Group. Executive Director Al-Baraa Abdel Jabbar Nuwair said their goal was to support Syria and contribute to rebuilding. 'The turnout and excitement exceeded expectations,' he said. Marketing Manager Ahmad Hammadeh of Middle East Specialized Cables said the company aims to explore export opportunities and showcase its infrastructure expertise. 'We've helped build major airports, and we believe there's potential for similar projects here.' The exhibition, which opened May 27, was held under the patronage of Syria's Ministries of Economy, Industry, and Public Works.
The National
30-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Arab Group calls on UN Security Council to bring end to 'catastrophic' Gaza war
The Arab Group called on the UN Security Council on Friday to take urgent action to halt Israel's 'catastrophic' war in Gaza. The group of Arab states also demanded an end to Israel's blockade of the enclave and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid, as UN officials say the entire population faces famine. Israel has faced mounting international pressure over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the UN says only a 'teaspoon' of aid has been allowed in after a more than two-month blockade. Speaking on behalf of the Arab Group as chairman for the month of May, the UAE's UN envoy Mohamed Abushahab accused Israel of using starvation as 'a weapon of war' and rejected its proposed aid mechanism, calling it a breach of international law. The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which began operations this week, distributes aid through several 'secure' sites – manned by private security contractors – with the aim of keeping supplies out of the hands of Hamas. The mechanism cuts out traditional UN and other aid distributors, and critics have accused it of militarising humanitarian assistance. 'Palestinian lives are not less valuable than any other lives,' Mr Abushahab told reporters in New York. Negotiations to end nearly 20 months of war in Gaza have so far failed to achieve a breakthrough, with Israel resuming military operations in March following a short-lived truce. But a new proposal submitted by the US was approved by Israel on Thursday, and Hamas has said it is reviewing it. Palestine's deputy ambassador Majed Bamya said that international condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza was insufficient. 'There is international outrage, but our outrage is not good enough,' Mr Bamya told reporters. 'It's not good enough for the people of Gaza to know that the world condemns this action, condemns these crimes, stands against them. We need actions.' He accused Israel of attempting to forcibly erase the Palestinian cause and people, warning that such efforts would fail. Mr Bamya also pushed back against expectations that Palestinians should endure the crisis alone. 'The world cannot expect Palestinians to be superheroes, that they need to resist all of this on their own, that they need to figure out the way to survive, that they need to figure out how to stay in their land,' he said. 'Israel wants to convince them that if they want life, they can only find it away from them.' This week, Israel announced the creation of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. On Friday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to build a 'Jewish Israeli state' in the Palestinian territory which Israel has occupied since 1967. Britain called the move a 'deliberate obstacle' to Palestinian statehood, and UN chief Antonio Guterres's spokesman said it pushed efforts towards a two-state solution 'in the wrong direction'. Mr Abushahab said the Arab Group looks forward to the upcoming conference in June on the two-state solution co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France as it is 'critical' for member states take concrete actions to advance sustainable peace. 'We salute those countries that recognised the state of Palestine and strongly encourage others to follow their example,' he said. 'Recognition is not just a symbolic gesture; it is a concrete step for the just and lasting peace.'
