BETHLEHEM-Ma’an- Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani Al-Hayek visited the Palestine Museum of Natural History, where he was received by Professor Mazen Qumsiyeh and his wife Mrs. Jessie Qumsiyeh, founders of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University, Dr. Hernan Santos, Vice President of Bethlehem University, and Jack Curran, Vice President for Development Affairs.

Minister Al-Hayek stressed the importance of this museum, as it is the best evidence that we, as a Palestinian people, belong to this land. We are its original owners, and the Israeli occupation will not change our connection to this land. He thanked Dr. Mazen Qumsieh and all those in charge of this museum for what it provides in terms of support and enrichment for scientific research in the field of biodiversity in Palestine, as Palestine possesses great biodiversity that deserves attention, preservation, and documentation for future generations.

Al-Haik stressed the importance of continuing the deve
lopment process of this museum, emphasizing the provision of all forms of joint bilateral cooperation in order to develop the work and attract school and university students and civil society institutions, in cooperation with various partners, to visit this important site and see what Palestine possesses in terms of unique natural biodiversity.

In turn, Professor Mazen Qumsieh welcomed Minister Hayek, stressing the importance of achieving networking and cooperation between the museum and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to support and develop the museum’s work. He spoke about the history of this museum and the importance of working in it, as it constitutes a center for research, education, and preservation of our natural world, in addition to our culture and heritage, and in order to benefit from the knowledge we have acquired to encourage responsible human interaction towards our environment.

At the end of the visit, Minister Hayek inspected the museum facilities and was briefed on the daily work of
the volunteers there.

Source: Maan News Agency