Hundreds of cultural professionals – including archaeologists and academics – have called on the United Nations to safeguard Lebanon's heritage sites in a petition published ahead of a crucial UNESCO meeting in Paris.
Several Israeli strikes in recent weeks on Baalbek in the east of Lebanon and Tyre in the south – both strongholds of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah – hit close to ancient Roman ruins designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The petition, signed by 300 prominent cultural figures, was sent to UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay on Sunday – a day before a special session in the French capital to consider listing Lebanese cultural sites under "enhanced protection".
It urges UNESCO to protect Baalbek and other heritage sites by establishing "no-target zones" around them, deploying international observers and enforcing measures from the 1954 Hague Convention on cultural heritage in conflict.
"Lebanon's cultural heritage at large is being endangered by recurrent assaults on ancient cities such as Baalbek, Tyre and Anjar, all UNESCO world heritage sites, as well as on other historic landmarks," the petition says.
It calls on influential states to push for an end to military action that causes destruction of damage to sites, as well as adding protections or introducing sanctions.
Immunity from military attacks
Change Lebanon, the charity behind the petition, said signatories included museum curators, academics, archaeologists and writers from Britain, France, Italy and the United States.
Hezbollah and Israel have been at war since late September, when Israel broadened its focus from fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip to securing its northern border, even as the Gaza war continues.
Enhanced protection status gives heritage sites "high-level immunity from military attacks", according to UNESCO.
"Criminal prosecutions and sanctions, conducted by the competent authorities, may apply in cases where individuals do not respect the enhanced protection granted to a cultural property," it said.
Baalbek targeted
In Baalbek, Israeli strikes on 6 November hit near the city's Roman temples, destroying a heritage house dating back to the French mandate and damaged the historic site.
The region's governor said "a missile fell in the car park" of a 1,000-year-old temple, the closest strike since the start of the war.
The ruins host the prestigious Baalbek Festival each year – a landmark event founded in 1956 and now a fixture on the international cultural scene – featuring performances by music legends like Oum Kalthoum, Charles Aznavour and Ella Fitzgerald.
