← Back to news
July 21, 2026
UNESCO Designates Sebastia as World Heritage Site Amid Israeli Objections
- UNESCO has officially designated Sebastia as a World Heritage site despite objections from Israel, which claims the nomination is politically motivated.
- This decision follows Israel's plans to expropriate land around Sebastia for archaeological purposes, raising concerns among local residents about the impact on their economy.
- The Palestinian Authority argues that World Heritage status is essential for preserving Sebastia's archaeological significance and protecting it from Israeli land seizures.
3 Sources
- On Sebastia’s hilltop, Israelis and Palestinians are fighting over who owns the past and controls the presentJul 21, 2026 at 4:01 AM · CNN
- Digging for control: Archaeology in the West BankJul 21, 2026 at 12:23 PM · CNN
- West Bank site becomes World Heritage site despite Israel objectionsJul 24, 2026 at 9:48 AM · Independent