UNESCO Recognizes Ancient Jericho Ruins as World Heritage Site, Igniting Controversy

UNESCO has voted to list prehistoric ruins near the ancient city of Jericho as a World Heritage Site in Palestine, a decision likely to anger Israel, which controls the territory and does not recognize a Palestinian state. The ruins, located at the Tell es-Sultan archaeological site, date back to the ninth millennium B.C. and are outside the ancient city itself. Israel, although having quit UNESCO in 2019, remains a party to the World Heritage Convention and sent a delegation to the meeting. The designation of the site has been welcomed by the Palestinian Authority, while there has been no immediate comment from Israel.