Wars don’t need to erase history - Israel war
Introduction
Efforts are underway to safeguard Lebanon's cultural heritage sites from potential future conflicts. There is a worldwide call to preserve these sites, emphasizing their importance for future generations to learn from and appreciate. Imagine if all of Israel's heritage were erased—what lessons would the children draw from Jewish history?
Isn't the loss of human life in war already devastating enough without resorting to acts of cultural and ethnic erasure? It is crucial to recognize that wars do not benefit society; they are detrimental to its fabric and well-being.
UNESCO Enhanced Protection
In November 2024, UNESCO granted enhanced protection status to 34 cultural properties in Lebanon, including:
World Heritage sites of Baalbek and Tyre
The Neolithic site of Byblos
Roman remains in Anjar
The International Fair of Tripoli
This enhanced protection provides the highest level of immunity during armed conflict, prohibiting military use of these sites and criminalizing attacks against them.
International Assistance and Funding
UNESCO is providing technical and financial assistance to reinforce legal protections, improve risk management, and train site managers.
ALIPH (International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas) has contributed $100,000 towards emergency protection measures.
Documentation and Monitoring
UNESCO is conducting satellite monitoring of historical sites to assess damage and conservation status.
Lebanese authorities, in collaboration with organizations like Biladi, are working on safeguarding museum collections.
Capacity Building
UNESCO is training Lebanese authorities on photogrammetry techniques for 3D modeling of sites and assets, crucial for preservation and potential rehabilitation.
The Blue Shield organization is raising awareness among military personnel and local communities about the importance of cultural property protection.
Legal and Policy Measures
Lebanon ratified the Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention in 2020, strengthening its legal framework for heritage protection.
The Lebanese Directorate General of Antiquities is preparing enhanced protection requests for additional sites.
International Cooperation
ICOMOS is supporting its National Committee in Lebanon to integrate cultural heritage protection into broader civilian protection strategies.
The international community, through UN Security Council Resolution 2347, has recognized the link between cultural heritage protection and security.
Conclusion
These multi-faceted efforts aim to create a more robust system for protecting Lebanon’s cultural heritage from future conflicts. However, ongoing challenges remain, particularly in implementing and enforcing these measures on the ground.
