Open Letter to Ms. Alexandra Xanthaki, UN Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights

Ms. Alexandra Xanthaki,

UN Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights

Dear Ms. Xanthaki,

We are writing on behalf of Palestinian cultural institutions to express our profound dismay regarding the disregard and insufficient response of your office to the ongoing Israeli cultural annihilation in Gaza/Palestine.

The relentless destruction of Palestinian cultural heritage throughout Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, now in its fourth month, represents a flagrant violation of all known international law and humanitarian principles. We urgently implore you to take a stronger stand by condemning and highlighting the Israeli army's violation of the cultural rights and heritage of the Palestinian people, given the harm already inflicted.

Israel’s systematic obliteration of thousands of archaeological and historical sites, as seen on TV and social media, including the second oldest church in the world and one of the oldest mosques, among many others, constitutes a grave assault on the very essence of Palestinian identity and history.

The recent strategic bombings in Gaza epitomize the ruthless eradication of Palestinian cultural heritage, flagrantly defying principles of military necessity and violating fundamental laws of armed conflict. These deliberate acts not only deprive Palestinians of their right to self-determination over their cultural resources but also constitute undeniable war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The ongoing assault on Gaza represents a brazen violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

The wanton destruction has inflicted catastrophic damage upon archaeological sites, historic towns, churches, religious shrines, museums, libraries, manuscript centers, cultural and artistic institutions, universities, and academic facilities.

We respectfully demand an immediate statement condemning these egregious atrocities. Also, a prompt country visit to Gaza/Palestine upon ceasefire to document and report on Israel's grave violations of Palestinian cultural rights. Furthermore, we urge you to liaise with the ICC prosecutor’s office to launch comprehensive investigations to secure accountability for these war criminal acts.

We eagerly await your immediate response and stand ready to offer unwavering support in your efforts to address this urgent crisis, including videos, images, testimonies, etc.

Sincerely,

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This campaign was launched as a joint initiative by the Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO), and the Resilience Pathways working Group in Palestine.

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