As a project focused on endangered (maritime) cultural heritage, the MarEA team mourns the tragic loss of Palestinian colleagues who have actively engaged in the safeguarding and documentation of this heritage. We deplore the continued violence which has resulted in the displacement of our surviving colleagues, has irreversibly affected local communities and has damaged or destroyed unique cultural heritage within Gaza. We offer condolences and express solidarity with all who have lost or are missing loved ones. We remind all parties that the destruction of cultural heritage is unlawful and can be considered a war crime.
We recognize that the immediate situation has been precipitated by the actions of Hamas, whose brutal attacks on the 7th Oct we fully condemn and deplore. At the same time, as historians and archaeologists, we recognize the complexity of the situation which includes longstanding injustices against the Palestinian peoples by the government of Israel. Conflict and the current collective punishment of the civilian population of Gaza will not solve anything. Until a two-state solution is put in place and western powers cease to support punitive actions by the government of Israel, there will be no end to this or future wars.
We therefore support calls for an immediate ceasefire to protect innocent civilians, avert the humanitarian crisis and to safeguard irreplaceable cultural heritage.