Occupation and Palestinian Identity: Systematic Violations of Cultural Heritage

Palestinian cultural heritage is one of the most violated heritages in the world, as it is subjected to continuous attempts by the Israeli occupation to change and distort it, and even attribute it to them in an attempt to spread historical claims regarding Israel’s right to Palestine. These violations have included several aspects, whether in an attempt to erase the Palestinian identity, or destroy historical and religious sites belonging to the Palestinian people.

Erasing the Palestinian identity

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the Zionist movement has been associated with continuous attempts to target and uproot the Palestinians from their land and history. The Israeli occupation has attempted to eliminate the Palestinians’ connection to Palestine through a broad policy aimed at isolating them from their heritage and historical past. Palestinian heritage - whether tangible or intangible - is one of the most prominent victims of this policy.

Stealing and destroying heritage

The Israeli occupation’s attempts to change the Palestinian character have included the theft of Palestinian cultural and historical property and its removal to other locations. We have witnessed large collections of Palestinian heritage disappearing from their original locations, and even attempting to destroy them as part of a campaign to erase history. Places of worship and history, such as the Ibrahimi Mosque and Al-Aqsa Mosque, have been a prime target of these attacks, with Israel excavating beneath Al-Aqsa Mosque and attempting to obliterate its features, while attacks on historical sites that are an integral part of Palestinian identity continue.

Judaization of Palestinian heritage

Another policy pursued by the Israeli occupation is the “Judaization of Palestinian heritage,” that is, attempts to manipulate Palestinian heritage and use it as a tool to create an alleged Israeli identity. One of the most prominent manifestations of these policies is changing the names of Palestinian places to ancient biblical names, thus trying to give the impression that these places have a historical connection to Israel. In addition, the occupation has falsified history by fabricating stories and folk tales, and inventing myths that fit the Zionist narrative.

Violations of intangible heritage

The violations were not limited to the tangible heritage only, but also included the intangible heritage of the Palestinian people, such as: folk tales, traditional dances, and songs, which are an essential part of the Palestinian identity. This culture is being obliterated by banning or falsifying it, and claiming that it is part of the Israeli heritage.

The impact of the separation wall on Palestinian heritage

Among the most painful violations was the construction of the Annexation Wall, which cut off large parts of Palestinian land. This wall not only affected the Palestinians socially and politically, but also extended to its destructive impact on Palestinian archaeological sites. Many Palestinian archaeological sites were destroyed along the path of the wall, and Palestinian residents were displaced from their historical and cultural areas.

Violations in the cultural and scientific field

The Israeli occupation also tried to control scientific research related to Palestinian antiquities and impose a historical narrative that serves its interests. In this context, some archaeological discoveries were falsified to support the Zionist narrative, as Israeli archaeologists inserted inscriptions and tools bearing Israeli names into ancient Palestinian archaeological sites. Israel also sought to register some Palestinian cities on the World Heritage List under alleged Israeli names.

Israeli violations against Palestinian heritage have been numerous and varied over the decades. These violations have included the destruction of archaeological sites, the obliteration of intangible heritage, and the distortion of Palestinian history through forgery and the dissemination of lies.

These policies seek to eliminate the historical presence of the Palestinian people on their land, and replace it with a false narrative that aims to establish the occupation’s right to the land and heritage. In light of these violations, Palestinian heritage remains steadfast as a symbol of the Palestinian people’s identity, and forms the basis for the ongoing struggle to defend Palestinian history and future.