Statement by the International Committee of the Blue Shield on threatened cultural property in the Middle East conflict

The International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) deplores the unacceptable loss of human lives, the considerable suffering, the rapid displacement of entire communities, and the destruction that are currently taking place in areas administered by Israel, the Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority. It is also extremely concerned by the threat that the present conflict could escalate still further.

ICBS, founded in 1996 'to work to protect the world's cultural heritage threatened by wars and natural disasters', now calls on all parties to be respectful of the cultural property in the region. In making this statement, ICBS takes no position on any other issue relating to conflicts in the region.

Cultural property is priceless and irreplaceable, of vital importance not only to each community, but also to humanity. Historical sites and monuments, paintings and museum artefacts, books and libraries, manuscripts and archives all recount the history of the communities affected and of mankind as a whole. They are extremely vulnerable to attack during armed conflicts and, if they are damaged or destroyed, it is always difficult and often impossible to replace them or to restore them to their former condition. If the cultural heritage does not survive intact, then present and future generations in the region will not be able to appreciate their cultural identity in the fullest sense. Media and ICBS network reports indicate that there is a considerable risk that the cultural heritage of the various peoples in the region will suffer permanent losses...