UNESCO Lists West Bank's Sebastia as Endangered Heritage Site Under 'State of Palestine'

On July 24, 2026, UNESCO's World Heritage Committee inscribed Sebastia — ancient Samaria, capital of the biblical Kingdom of Israel — on its World Heritage and Danger lists, classifying it under "State of Palestine." Israel, which left UNESCO in 2019 and attends only as an observer, campaigned to block the listing. Palestinian officials first sought the designation in 2012.