The World Heritage Committee of Unesco meeting in Doha, Qatar, has approved the cultural landscape of Battir, Palestine, as a World Heritage site.

It was approved on the Danger List in view of Israel’s threat to build the separation wall through this landscape.

Ray Bondin was the scientific adviser to Palestine during the meeting. The approval came after an unusual request for a secret ballot by Germany. Israel strongly objected to the nomination. Dr Bondin had been asked by Unesco to supervise the preparation of the nomination dossier.

A former ambassador of Malta to Unesco and a heritage expert, Dr Bondin has been involved with Palestine for many years. A number of countries have requested his advice since his recall to Malta.

Battir is a very green deep valley between Jerusalem and Bethlehem renowned for its olives and vegetables grown in terraced fields, thanks to the availability of spring water. The families have a very old system of water distribution and a unique irrigation system.

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