The International Confirence on Engineering and City Development

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Research Title: 
Saving the Palestinian Heritage under the Israeli Occupation
Authors: 
Khaled Farid Qamhieh
Country: 
Palestine
Date: 
Mon, 2003-09-22
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Abstract61.97 KB
التراث المعماري الفلسطيني.pdf211.19 KB
Research Abstract: 
After 28thSeptember 2000, the Intifada of Al-Aqsa started and the Israeli’s aggression rose beyond anyone’s expectations. The general political situation in the area let the Israelis to do whatever they like without any fear of the consequences. Brutal attacks spread destruction all over the Palestinian cities and villages. Buildings demolition was one the Israelis’ capital punishment which threats the Palestinian’s heritage. Both the upper and the infrastructure were badly hit during the last two years. Private buildings, public institutions, electrical and water systems, communication network, as well as roads and landscape elements were amongst the victims of the Israeli actions. Not to forget the daily suffering of the Palestinian people from the lack of food and medicine, and the absence of electricity and water. Despite the long period of neglect and ignorance, during the Israeli occupation, the historic cities managed to survive, and many restoration programs took place in the early years of the Palestinian Authority. As a result of that, the historic towns and structures became more efficient, economically viable, and lively places, and attract more people to live or work within. Unfortunately these historic old structures and places suffered the most devastation. The Israeli occupation bombarded the historic town of Nablus using F16 and heavy tanks as well as Apache helicopters. The destruction in the Old Town is tremendous and is expected to increase if urgent actions were not taken. This paper will focus on the destructed parts of the Palestinian historic cities, mainly the Old Town of Nablus, and will try to determine the essential steps and actions needed to safeguard and protect these historic structures from further aggressions in order to maintain the Palestinian heritage during this critical period, the Palestinians are going through.