Bethlehem – Together – The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Hani Al-Hayek, received the French Consul General in Jerusalem, Mr. Nicholas Cassianides, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in the city of Bethlehem.

Al-Hayek welcomed Ambassador Nicholas, stressing the depth of historical relations between Palestine and France in various fields, especially in the field of preserving cultural heritage, and calling on the French side to follow the example of the European countries that recognized the State of Palestine.

The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities briefed the French Consul on the conditions that the Gaza Strip is experiencing due to the continued Israeli aggression, in addition to the extent of the destruction that occurred to archaeological and historical sites in the Strip, as the Israeli occupation deliberately targets the Palestinian national identity by destroying archaeological and historical sites, which are considered an important part of our heritage. Nationa
l Council, as Gaza has a long history and is considered one of the oldest cities in the world, adding that our Palestinian people are determined to restore what can be restored from these sites.

In his speech, the Minister referred to the joint projects that are being worked on in partnership between the Palestinian and French sides, as these projects have been translated on the ground through the Tel Umm Amer project in the Gaza Strip, the Al-Bid Museum project in the city of Bethlehem, and other projects.

Al-Hayek spoke about the developments and crisis that the Palestinian tourism sector is suffering as a result of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, stressing the work of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to pursue a number of programs and plans to ensure the return of tourism activity to Palestine immediately after the end of the aggression.

For his part, the French Consul confirmed France’s readiness for joint bilateral cooperation with Palestine in various fields, especially in the field
of tourism promotion and the field of preserving cultural and archaeological heritage.

The meeting discussed the latest developments in the Tel Umm Amer project in the Gaza Strip, which was halted due to the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, in addition to discussing ways to support the Palestinian tourism sector in light of the halt of this sector’s work due to the Israeli aggression.

Source: Maan News Agency