Non-violent confrontation through world heritage

A new potential for non-violent conflict resolution emerges through UNESCO World Heritage designation, as evidenced by the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls. Since 1982, when the site was inscribed, direct violent conflicts between Israel and Jordan (since 1970) and Israel and the Palestinian Authority (since 2005) have ceased, coinciding with heightened UNESCO heritage activities. This suggests that heritage conservation mechanisms may play a role in sustaining peace, challenging the traditional narrative of heritage as a tool for sovereignty disputes. The study examines this paradox, tracing historical shifts from the Ottoman and British-era 'Status Quo'—a delicate balance to preserve religious sites—to modern UNESCO interventions, which have both complicated and potentially stabilized regional tensions.

Stiefel, B. L. (2024). Non-violent confrontation through world heritage. Heritage, Conflict, and Peace-Building, 130–148. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003407331-9