Aimed at enhancing the Palestinian General Administration for Borders and Crossings (GABC) knowledge on cultural heritage and the European Union best practices, EUBAM Rafah facilitated a three-day information session on the “Protection of Cultural Heritage”. The training which took place between 20 and 24 October 2021 was organized by EUBAM Rafah and conducted by two trainers from the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage; known as Carabinieri T.P.C, in the framework of the Italian Training Mission MIADIT Palestine.
11 Palestinian officers from the different agencies working under the umbrella of GABC (Border Police, Customs and Customs Police) sat for the training that also included a field visit to Hisham’s Palace in Jericho. During the visit, participants received first hand practical experience on how to detect and handle items that are or could be considered cultural heritage.
Following the visit, a participant from Customs said “We highly appreciate the initiative in view of the paramount importance of cultural heritage preservation as a tool for building social cohesion and developing individual and group identity.”
The General Director of GABC as well as MIADIT Head of Mission and EUBAM Rafah Head of Mission attended the closing ceremony during which they addressed the participants and congratulated them for their efforts and dedication to elevating work procedures in their fields of expertise.
GD GABC Mr. Nazmi Mhanna thanked both Heads of Missions for the informative session, stressing the positive impact similar forms of support have in building and developing the capacities of GABC. Mr. Mhanna concluded by inviting all stakeholders to continue to deliver additional trainings and to offer further support in the future.
