The politics of heritage and the limitations of international agency in contested cities: a study of the role of UNESCO in Jerusalem's Old City

UNESCO's role as an international protector of heritage in contested cities, such as Jerusalem's Old City, is both crucial and limited. While there is a pressing need for an impartial arbiter to safeguard sacred sites and divided cultural heritage amid nationalist agendas, this study reveals significant constraints due to political sensitivities and the legal boundaries of UNESCO's mandate. Comparative case studies from Fez, Aleppo, Mostar, and Kosovo highlight the challenges and potential future directions for UNESCO in Jerusalem, emphasizing the tension between universal heritage values and politicized archaeological practices.

DUMPER, M., & LARKIN, C. (2011). The politics of heritage and the limitations of international agency in contested cities: a study of the role of UNESCO in Jerusalem’s Old City. Review of International Studies, 38(1), 25–52. https://doi.org/10.1017/s026021051100026x