Minister Hayek opens the Beit Ummar Heritage Market and meets with the Mayor of Halhul

Bethlehem - Ofoq News - The Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hani Al-Hayek, along with the Minister of Culture, Imad Hamdan, opened the Beit Ummar Heritage Market, in the town of Beit Ummar, north of the Hebron Governorate, in the presence of the Mayor of Beit Ummar, Engineer Muhammad Awad, the Commander of the Hebron District, Brigadier General Jamal Isiya, the representative of the Governor of Hebron, Mr. Musa Haroun, the President of the North Hebron Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Musa Allan, and the Secretary of the Fatah Movement’s North Hebron Region, Mr. Musa. Al-Tarwa, and a group of national and local figures.

Minister Hayek confirmed that he conveyed to the audience the greetings of the Prime Minister, Dr. Muhammad Mustafa, and his interest in such events in various Palestinian cities, stressing that these events represent a supportive space for local industries, handicrafts and Palestinian embroidery, and an opportunity to introduce heritage products that embody the authenticity of the Palestinian national identity and the depth of the Palestinian people’s connection to their land and history, and contribute to empowering craftsmen and small business owners, encouraging the marketing of their products, and enhancing the presence of traditional industries in local markets, in a way that supports the economy. It provides opportunities to develop economic activities related to heritage and tourism.

Al-Hayek stressed the importance of strengthening the Palestinian presence in archaeological and historical sites, especially sites that face risks and threats that affect their safety and threaten their survival, stressing the need to intensify national and societal efforts to protect and preserve them, as they are living evidence of Palestine’s history and cultural identity.

For his part, the Minister of Culture, Imad Hamdan, confirmed that this bazaar forms part of the Palestinian cultural identity, noting that traditional crafts represent one of the elements of the cultural heritage, and that preserving and transmitting them across generations is a national and cultural responsibility, stressing that Palestine deserves from us to preserve and preserve these crafts.

In turn, the Mayor of Beit Ummar, Engineer Muhammad Awad, stressed the importance of supporting local initiatives, enhancing local production, and consolidating the presence of Palestinian heritage as an essential element in tourism and economic development.

In another context, Minister Hayek met with the Mayor of Halhul, Mr. Wajdi Melhem, and a number of members of the Municipal Council, where he stressed the importance of strengthening coordination and cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and local authorities, which contributes to increasing the presence of citizens in archaeological sites, protecting and preserving them, and affirming the Palestinian people’s adherence to their land and homeland.

For his part, the mayor of Halhul stressed the importance of joint work and partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in various fields, noting that this cooperation contributes to developing the archaeological reality and preserving archaeological sites in the town.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance the protection of archaeological sites in Halhul and intensify the presence of citizens there, in addition to discussing the possibility of establishing an antiquities museum in the town, which would contribute to preserving and publicizing the Palestinian cultural heritage.