RAMALLAH, West Bank, (Reuters) – A Palestinian village joined UNESCO’s world heritage sites list yesterday after an emergency nomination meant to try to block Israel from building a barrier across its ancient farmland.
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation said the village was recognised urgently in view of “construction of a separation wall that may isolate farmers from fields they have cultivated for centuries”.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, meeting in Qatar, added the farmed valleys at the village in the occupied West Bank near Jerusalem feature picturesque stone terraces that risk “irreversible damage” were the barrier to be constructed.
