Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls
Factors affecting the property in 2024*
- Effects arising from use of transportation infrastructure
- Governance
- High impact research / monitoring activities
- Housing
- Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
- Management activities
- Management systems/ management plan
- Other Threats:
Natural risk factors; Deterioration of monuments; Urban environment and visual integrity; Impact of archaeological excavations
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- 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
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
(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. […]”
Corrective Measures for the property
Not yet identified
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2024
Total amount granted: approximately USD 5,000,000 (since 1988)
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2024
Total amount approved : 100,000 USD
| 1982 | 32-month expert services to undertake an architectural ... (Approved) | 100,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2024**
February-March 2004: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM mission; from September 2005 to May 2008: 6 experts missions within the framework of the elaboration of the Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem; February-March 2007: special World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM mission sent by the Director-General of UNESCO for the issue of the Mughrabi ascent; August 2007, January and February 2008: missions for the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism; March and December 2009: World Heritage Centre missions; December 2013, October 2014, February 2015 and June 2015: project missions
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2024
On 31 May 2024, a joint report was provided to the World Heritage Centre by the States Parties of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the State of Palestine, which is available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/148/documents/.
The report provides an update concerning the property, while recalling earlier incidents and information. It can be summarized as follows:
- A list of reported violations against Muslim holy places, including at Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and Christian holy places;
- Definitions of Muslim and Christian holy places, and the established ‘Status Quo’;
- Examples of violations at Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif and other Muslim holy places. This comprises issues such as those related to the Mughrabi Quarter and the Mughrabi Ascent, the obstruction of restoration and maintenance work, land confiscation, and construction projects. It also refers to excavations carried out around and under Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif from the western and southern sides;
- Several violations at Christian holy sites, including reported assaults, restrictions and appropriation of church properties, in addition to developments in the Armenian Quarter where confrontations have been reported due to a planned development project;
- Information regarding projects that are considered against the authentic character of heritage places, including developments at Al-Buraq/Western wall Plaza and the cable car project.
Since the extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, the Secretariat received two letters from the Permanent Delegation of the State of Palestine to UNESCO, dated 30 June 2023 and 2 October 2023, reporting persistent violations and continuous violent attacks at Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif. The letters referred to the respect of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Both letters also referred to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Secretariat also received a joint letter from the Permanent Delegation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation of the State of Palestine to UNESCO on 11 March 2024 expressing concern about recent developments at Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif, and reporting on the installation of a communications tower on the roof of Al-Tanzakiya school, which would have a visual impact to the site.
In addition, the Secretariat received a letter from the Chairperson of the Arab Group to UNESCO dated 14 December 2023, expressing concern regarding the project to build a cable car over the Old City of Jerusalem, and reported violation of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two protocols and the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
The Secretariat followed up with Israel, State Party to the Convention, asking it to provide relevant information. With regard to the cable car project, the Secretariat reiterated the importance of having a Heritage Impact Assessment, in order to analyse effects and consequences of this project on the Outstanding Universal Value, integrity and authenticity of the property in its setting. A reply has not been received yet.
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2024
46 COM 7A.18
Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (C 148 rev)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having considered Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.4 and the Annex attached to this decision,
- Recalling its previous decisions concerning the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls,
- Decides that the status of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls relating to the World Heritage List remains unchanged as reflected in Decisions 45 COM 7A.31 and 45 COM 8C.2 of its last session.
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ANNEX
The World Heritage Committee
46th session of the Committee (46 COM)
Item 18: Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.4,
- Recalling the relevant provisions on the protection of cultural heritage including the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) and its related protocols, the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970), the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), the New Delhi UNESCO Recommendation of 1956 concerning excavations undertaken in occupied territories, the inscription of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls at the request of Jordan on the World Heritage List (1981) and on the List of World Heritage in Danger (1982) and related recommendations, resolutions and decisions of UNESCO,
- Reaffirming that nothing in the present decision, which aims at the safeguarding of the authenticity, integrity and cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem on both sides of its Walls, shall in any way affect the relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions on the legal status of Jerusalem, including United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 (2016),
- Also reaffirming the importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls for the three monotheistic religions,
- Reminding that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular the "basic law" on Jerusalem, are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith,
- Further recalling the 26 decisions of the Executive Board: 185 EX/Decision 14, 187 EX/Decision 11, 189 EX/Decision 8, 190 EX/Decision 13, 192 EX/Decision 11, 194 EX/Decision 5.D, 195 EX/Decision 9, 196 EX/Decision 26, 197 EX/Decision 32, 199 EX/Decision 19.1, 200 EX/Decision 25, 201 EX/Decision 30, 202 EX/Decision 38, 204 EX/Decision 25, 205 EX/Decision 28, 206 EX/Decision 32, 207 EX/Decision 38, 209 EX/Decision 24, 210 EX/Decision 36, 211 EX/Decision 33, 212 EX/Decision 43, 214 EX/Decision 22, 215 EX/Decision 36, 216 EX/Decision 33, 217 EX/Decision 33 and 219 EX/Decision 22, and the 12 decisions World Heritage Committee decisions: 34 COM 7A.20, 35 COM 7A.22, 36 COM 7A.23, 37 COM 7A.26, 38 COM 7A.4, 39 COM 7A.27, 40 COM 7A.13, 41 COM 7A.36, 42 COM 7A.21, 43 COM 7A.22, 44 COM 7A.10 and 45 COM 7A.31,
- Regrets the failure of the Israeli occupying authorities to cease the persistent excavations, tunnelling, works, projects, including the construction plan for a cable car, and other illegal practices in East Jerusalem, particularly in and around the Old City of Jerusalem, which are illegal under international law and reiterates its request to Israel, the occupying Power, to prohibit all violations which are not in conformity with the provisions of the relevant UNESCO conventions, resolutions and decisions;
- Also regrets the Israeli refusal to implement the UNESCO request to the Director-General to appoint a permanent representative to be stationed in East Jerusalem to report on a regular basis about all aspects covering the fields of competence of UNESCO in East Jerusalem, and reiterates its request to the Director-General to appoint, as soon as possible, the above-mentioned representative;
- Stresses again the urgent need to implement the UNESCO reactive monitoring mission to the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, and invites the Director-General and the World Heritage Centre, to exert all possible efforts, in line with their mandates and in conformity with the provisions of the relevant UNESCO conventions, decisions and resolutions, to ensure the prompt implementation of the mission and, in case of non-implementation, to propose possible effective measures to ensure its implementation;
- Decides to retain the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Draft Decision: 46 COM 7A.18
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having considered Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.4 and the Annex attached to this decision,
- Recalling its previous decisions concerning the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls,
- Decides that the status of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls relating to the World Heritage List remains unchanged as reflected in Decisions 45COM 31 and 45 COM 8C.2 of its last session.
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ANNEX
The World Heritage Committee
46th session of the Committee (46 COM)
Item 18: Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.4,
- Recalling the relevant provisions on the protection of cultural heritage including the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) and its related protocols, the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970), the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), the New Delhi UNESCO Recommendation of 1956 concerning excavations undertaken in occupied territories, the inscription of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls at the request of Jordan on the World Heritage List (1981) and on the List of World Heritage in Danger (1982) and related recommendations, resolutions and decisions of UNESCO,
- Reaffirming that nothing in the present decision, which aims at the safeguarding of the authenticity, integrity and cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem on both sides of its Walls, shall in any way affect the relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions on the legal status of Jerusalem, including United Nations Security Council resolution 2334 (2016),
- Also reaffirming the importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls for the three monotheistic religions,
- Reminding that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular the "basic law" on Jerusalem, are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith,
- Further recalling the 26 decisions of the Executive Board: 185 EX/Decision 14, 187 EX/Decision 11, 189 EX/Decision 8, 190 EX/Decision 13, 192 EX/Decision 11, 194 EX/Decision 5.D, 195 EX/Decision 9, 196 EX/Decision 26, 197 EX/Decision 32, 199 EX/Decision 19.1, 200 EX/Decision 25, 201 EX/Decision 30, 202 EX/Decision 38, 204 EX/Decision 25, 205 EX/Decision 28, 206 EX/Decision 32, 207 EX/Decision 38, 209 EX/Decision 24, 210 EX/Decision 36, 211 EX/Decision 33, 212 EX/Decision 43, 214 EX/Decision 22, 215 EX/Decision 36, 216 EX/Decision 33, 217 EX/Decision 33 and 219 EX/Decision 22, and the 12 decisions World Heritage Committee decisions: 34 COM 7A.20, 35 COM 7A.22, 36 COM 7A.23, 37 COM 7A.26, 38 COM 7A.4, 39 COM 7A.27, 40 COM 7A.13, 41 COM 7A.36, 42 COM 7A.21, 43 COM 7A.22, 44 COM 7A.10 and 45 COM 7A.31,
- Regrets the failure of the Israeli occupying authorities to cease the persistent excavations, tunnelling, works, projects, including the construction plan for a cable car, and other illegal practices in East Jerusalem, particularly in and around the Old City of Jerusalem, which are illegal under international law and reiterates its request to Israel, the occupying Power, to prohibit all violations which are not in conformity with the provisions of the relevant UNESCO conventions, resolutions and decisions;
- Also regrets the Israeli refusal to implement the UNESCO request to the Director-General to appoint a permanent representative to be stationed in East Jerusalem to report on a regular basis about all aspects covering the fields of competence of UNESCO in East Jerusalem, and reiterates its request to the Director-General to appoint, as soon as possible, the above-mentioned representative;
- Stresses again the urgent need to implement the UNESCO reactive monitoring mission to the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, and invites the Director-General and the World Heritage Centre, to exert all possible efforts, in line with their mandates and in conformity with the provisions of the relevant UNESCO conventions, decisions and resolutions, to ensure the prompt implementation of the mission and, in case of non-implementation, to propose possible effective measures to ensure its implementation;
- Decides to retain the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Jerusalem (Site proposed by Jordan)
Documents examined by the Committee
46COM (2024)Exports
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
