BETHLEHEM: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Rula Maayah, said on Wednesday that the destruction caused to archaeological and historical sites in the Gaza Strip is “unprecedented.”

She explained during her meeting with the Ambassador of the Republic of Finland to Palestine, Päivi Peltokoski, in the city of Bethlehem, that the destruction of these sites is part of targeting the Palestinian national identity.

Maayaa called for obliging the occupation to stop its aggression against Palestinian people and their heritage, stressing that the crimes of the occupation will not discourage Palestinian people from steadfastness and remaining in their land.

She pointed out that the tourism sector suffered millions in losses as a result of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

In turn, Peltokoski stressed the need for more cooperation in the tourism field, exchanging experiences and information in the field of attracting tourist groups from various countries of the world,
and carrying out exploratory visits to see what the Palestinian tourism sector possesses in terms of potentials and tourist and archaeological sites.

Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA