Tehran – In a key move in favour of international law and ethical archaeological practices, the World Archaeological Conference (WAC) has excluded scholars from the upcoming 10th Parliament (WAC-10).
The decision, finalized by the WAC Council on June 21, cites the location of Ariel University within Ariel’s illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied Palestinian Territory (West Bank). The Council stated that participation by the agency or its affiliates was “incompatible with the basic principles of WAC and international legal norms.”
The WAC Council details its reasoning, highlighting:
Illegality of Settlement: Israeli settlements, including Ariel, are illegal under international law and are confirmed by Article 49 (6) of the 4th Geneva Convention (1949), the International Judicial Advisory Opinion (2004), and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334 (2016).
Illegality of Ariel University: By being located within an illegal settlement, Ariel University itself is considered an illegal institution under international law.
Violation of Archaeological Practice: Archaeological excavations carried out in occupied areas violate international legal standards protecting cultural heritage, particularly the Hague Regulations (1907), the Hague Convention of 1954, and the second protocol of 1999. Such activities risk destroying or concealing cultural, historical, or scientific evidence.
Principles of recognition: Allowing participation by scholars affiliated with Ariel University would violate the fundamental international legal principle of non-recognition of illegal circumstances arising from occupation.
WAC’s own resolution: The Council recalled that earlier WAC resolutions (resolution 9 of WAC-7 and resolution 13 from WAC-8) condemned archaeological activities in occupied Palestinian territory and called on archaeologists to avoid complicity in violations. It specifically referenced Article 6 of WAC Dead Sea Accord. This limits excavations in occupying areas strictly when essential to protecting heritage, prohibiting changes intended to conceal or destroy evidence.
“The Council has determined that participation by Ariel University or affiliates at WAC-10 is incompatible with the basic principles of WAC and international legal norms,” the official statement declared.
President WAC President Gochi announced the decision on behalf of the council and reiterated the organization’s commitment.
The decision highlights the ongoing international rejection of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and institutions operating within it, expanding the principles into the realm of academic and cultural cooperation. It represents a firm attitude by major global archaeological institutions against activities that are perceived to legalize or benefit from illegal occupations.
morning