Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls

• High impact research / monitoring activities
• Housing
• Natural risk factors
• Management systems/management plan; lack of planning, governance and management processes
• Alteration of the urban and social fabric
• Impact of archaeological excavations
• Deterioration of monuments
• Urban environment and visual integrity
• Traffic, access and circulation; effects arising from use of transportation infrastructure

(cf. Document CLT 82/CH/CONF.015/8)

“[…] the situation of this property corresponds to the criteria mentioned in the ICOMOS note and, in particular, to criteria (e) (significant loss of historical authenticity) and (f) (important loss of cultural significance) as far as "ascertained danger" is concerned, and to criteria (a) (modification of juridical status of the property diminishing the degree of its protection), (b) (lack of conservation policy) and (d) (threatening effects of town planning) as far as "potential danger" is concerned. […]”

Not yet identified

Total amount granted: approximately USD 5,000,000 (since 1988)

On 19 February 2020, a joint report was provided to the World Heritage Centre by the States Parties of Jordan and Palestine, which is available at: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/148/documents/. The report covers the period from 2017 to 15 April 2019, while providing earlier information as well. It can be summarized as follows:

• Concerning Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and its surroundings, a number of concerns were outlined in the report, including increased intrusions between 2017 and 2018, lack of coordination with the Jordanian Jerusalem Awqaf, access restrictions, prevention of conservation and renovation works carried out by the Jordanian Jerusalem Awqaf, the closure of buildings, and damage to the structure and furniture of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif;
• The report provides an update on excavations, and tunnelling around Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, mainly focusing on underground works in the area between Silwan and the Western Wall. According to the report, excavations have also impacted the Umayyad palaces south of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, the area of Bab Al-Amoud/Damascus Gate inside the property, as well as the area of the Qishla building and Bab Al-Khalil/Jaffa Gate;
• The report also provides examples of violations against Christian churches and holy sites since 1967, with a focus on incidents in the past years. It also presents information on transformations and changes in relation to streets, sites and buildings, and on touristic projects that are planned or underway, including the cable car project, demolitions, and construction projects, particularly at Al-Buraq Plaza;
• Between 2016 and 2019, several projects and activities were accomplished by the Jerusalem Jordanian Awqaf and the Hashemite Fund for the Restoration of Al-Aqsa. These include conservation, restoration and renovation work at several features and elements of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, particularly at the Dome of the Rock, Qibli Mosque, Marwani mosque, Sabil Qaitbai, Sabil Qasem Basha, Bab Al-Silsileh Mutawada’ and the exterior ladder of the Dome of the Rock;
• In accordance with the agreement signed between UNESCO and the Norwegian Government in December 2011 on the project, entitled “Ensuring the Sustainability of the Centre for Restoration of Islamic Manuscripts of the Haram al Sharif in Jerusalem”, UNESCO has deployed its assistance to build the Centre’s staff capacities in the preservation of Islamic manuscripts. Since the outset of the project in 2011: 14 learning modules were implemented, with over 1,538 hours of training on conservation and restoration techniques, in addition to study tours to restoration centres in Amman, Paris and Florence carried out in 2013. Ten staff of the Centre have been granted permanent positions by Jordan. The Centre currently enjoys a restoration and conservation laboratory with essential equipment, facilities and materials, that were provided under the project. Moreover, UNESCO conducted seven monitoring and consultation missions during the project implementation period, between 2011 and 2015, contributing thus to its effective and efficient execution. Committed to building the long-term sustainability of the Centre and to consolidating the acquired skills, the Government of Norway renewed its support to UNESCO in 2020 for a new phase of the project aiming at making the Centre fully operational and autonomous through the restoration of the premises and the elaboration of a long-term conservation and management strategy. Its implementation modalities are being finalized.
• The report also provides recommendations, including the establishment of a monitoring mechanism that documents and raises awareness regarding threats to the World Heritage property.

Since the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee, the Secretariat received several letters from the Permanent Delegations of Jordan and Palestine to UNESCO (2 July 2019), from ICOMOS Palestine (3 July 2019), from the Arab Group at UNESCO (5 July 2019), from the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) (9 July 2019), and from the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) (9 July 2019), regarding excavations and tunneling projects that could have an impact on the integrity of the World Heritage property of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls. The Secretariat invited the State Party of Israel to provide information, and stating that should this development be verified, it would be of utmost importance to analyze their potential impacts on and consequences on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), integrity and authenticity of the World Heritage site.

The Permanent Delegations of Jordan and Palestine to UNESCO expressed concerns in letters regarding developments related to the building of a cable car (18 December 2019), the installation of scaffolds and ongoing excavations at the property (22 January 2020), plans for the construction of an elevator and a tunnel leading to Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif (10 July 2020), and the reported destruction of the historic stairway and the walls of the Al-Yousifieh Islamic Cemetery, which is located next to the property (9 February 2021). In addition, the Permanent Delegation of Palestine to UNESCO expressed concerns regarding plans for the installation of a Ferris wheel overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (21 July 2020). The Secretariat followed up with the State Party of Israel, requesting the relevant information.

Following subsequent reports regarding the approval and commencement of experimental drilling connected to the construction of a train route and underground station next to the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, the Secretariat addressed two letters to the State Party of Israel on 10 March and 22 May 2020, mentioning both the train and cable car projects. Through the letters, it was underlined that, should these developments be verified, it would be of utmost importance to analyze their potential consequences and effects on the OUV, integrity and authenticity of the property, and urged the State Party of Israel, in the meantime, to refrain from any actions that may have an impact on the property’s OUV. On 17 June 2020, Israel provided a reply, informing that, in order to safeguard the World Heritage property, tentative plans for a project to access the Old City of Jerusalem by railway were suspended. Regarding the project to build a cable car over the Old City of Jerusalem, it was reported that an order nisi was issued by the High Court of Justice of Israel on 23 February 2021 compelling the State to provide explanations on a series of issues related to it. 

A letter was received on 18 March 2021 from Israel regarding the World Heritage Site “Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls”, in response to the Secretariat’s inquiry about reported excavations undertaken by the Israeli authorities at Al-Buraq Plaza and near the Mughrabi Gate of the Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif. Israel informed the Secretariat that according to its Antiquities Authority, no excavations had been carried out near the Mughrabi Gate and that, therefore, the foundations of the Al-Aqsa Mosque were safe and intact.

Furthermore, in May 2021, letters were received from the Chairperson of the Arab Group to UNESCO (11 May and 31 May 2021) and the Permanent Delegation of Palestine to UNESCO (11 and 17 May 2021), addressing the situation of East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif. The Secretariat followed up with the State Party of Israel, requesting the relevant information. In response to the Secretariat’s enquiry, a letter was received from Israel on 11 July 2021 addressing the situation of East Jerusalem, including Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif.