Mustafa: Our People Will Remain on Their Land and Attempts to Transform the Occupation into Ethnic Cleansing Will Fail

SadaNews - Today, Saturday, Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa visited the town of Sebastia in the Nablus Governorate, accompanied by a number of ministers, in the presence of Nablus Governor Ghassan Daghlas, along with official and popular figures, mayors, local council heads, and representatives of national institutions and events in the town and governorate. This visit aimed to reaffirm support for the resilience of the town, which is subjected to continuous targeting by the occupation and its settlers, sending a political and national message that emphasizes commitment to land, heritage, and Palestinian identity.

During the tour, the Prime Minister conveyed the greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas and the government to the people of Sebastia, affirming that the leadership and government stand by our people in all areas of their existence and support their steadfastness in the face of the occupation's policies aimed at uprooting the Palestinian existence and targeting their national and historical presence.

He pointed out that Sebastia is not just an archaeological site but a living Palestinian example of resilience, work, construction, and challenge, sending a message that this people is committed to its history and future despite all challenges.

He added that what is happening is not limited to controlling land, but rather is part of accelerated attempts to transform the occupation into a project of ethnic cleansing, taking advantage of the current circumstances and developments. However, these attempts will not succeed.

The Prime Minister continued, "The occupation believed that what is happening in Gaza would give it a chance to impose new realities, but it was disappointed. Gaza has resisted despite the scale of destruction, killing, starvation, displacement, and suffering, just as Jerusalem has resisted, and Sebastia will remain steadfast. Our people will continue to hold onto their national and historical rights."

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of protecting the Palestinian cultural and historical heritage, confirming the government's full support for national efforts to register the town of Sebastia on the UNESCO World Heritage List, calling on national institutions, the local community, and our people to support this path, as it is a strategic step to protect the site from targeting, isolation, and judaization attempts.

He also called on our people in the homeland and diaspora to visit historical sites, led by Sebastia, as this directly supports the steadfastness of the residents, enhances the presence of the Palestinian narrative, and preserves the national cultural heritage.

The tour included the raising of the Palestinian flag in the town's center, reflecting the commitment to sovereignty and national identity, and there was a presentation of an introductory film about the town's history and cultural significance, as well as a visit to its museum and archaeological sites.

At the end of the tour, the Prime Minister met with town leaders and several mayors and council heads in the Nablus Governorate, listening to their main needs and challenges, affirming the government's ongoing support to enhance the resilience of citizens and develop services and infrastructure.

He confirmed that the government will continue to work with various relevant parties to protect targeted areas and enhance development therein, considering this part of the national resilience battle.

Sebastia is considered one of the most important and richest archaeological sites in Palestine, with a history spanning more than five thousand years, witnessing the succession of multiple civilizations that left their architectural and cultural imprints on the site.

In recent years, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has implemented several vital projects that contributed to the development of the town and the preservation of its archaeological components, enhancing its tourism and cultural presence.

Given the site's significant importance and the direct targeting it faces, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, prepared a nomination file for Sebastia to be included in the list of World Heritage in Danger at UNESCO. The file was submitted at the beginning of last April via the Palestinian delegation to the organization.

The nomination file is scheduled to be discussed during the upcoming World Heritage Committee session, slated for July 19 to 29 in South Korea.

Inclusion of Sebastia on the World Heritage List is expected to be an important step toward providing international protection for the site and its Palestinian identity, enhancing its presence on the global cultural and tourism map, and attracting more international interest and development projects, ultimately benefiting the town and its residents.