PA high official accuses Israel of cultural theft

“During the 22nd session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which took place in Vienna, Austria, [PA] Attorney General, Justice Abd Al-Ghani Al-Awiwi said that the cultural property of any country is an inseparable part of its national identity.

He noted that this makes the responsibility for preserving it one of the most important areas of national responsibility…

Al-Awiwi told the member nations that Palestine’s antiquities and historical landscape are presently being subjected to crimes of theft, illegal excavations and manipulation [by Israel] in the Palestinian territories defined as Areas B and C and in East Jerusalem, the capital of the Palestinian state, with the aim of undermining and distorting Palestinian history and identity. He said that many archaeological sites and structures were isolated and destroyed by the racist separation fence – which is condemned by the entire world – and by the roads leading to the illegal settlements, despite the many decisions made by UNESCO’s Executive Board.”

[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Apr. 25, 2013]