Publications
In the Land of Olives and Vines: A Conversation about Climate Justice as Political Resistance in Palestine
A unique exploration of climate justice as a form of political resistance emerges from the conversation between journalist Sheila Reid and three student journalists, centered around their live journalism piece 'Letter from Battir.' The work, developed during an international journalism course focused on food reporting through decolonial and community-based perspectives, sheds light on the struggles faced by the West Bank village of Battir. Presented at the 2023 International Live Journalism Festival, this piece highlights global climate issues, particularly in the context of Palestine's cultural landscape, offering a nuanced understanding of how local communities engage with climate justice as an act of defiance against systemic challenges.
Biodiversity conservation of a new protected area ‘Al-Arqoub’, South Jerusalem Hills, Palestine
'Al-Arqoub' in the South Jerusalem Hills, Palestine, is designated as a protected area (IUCN Category VI) due to its exceptional biodiversity and vulnerability. The study documented 417 plant species, 15 fungi, 105 birds, 3 amphibians, 12 reptiles, and 31 mammals, highlighting its ecological significance within the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot. Threats such as harmful agricultural practices, urbanization, and land fragmentation were identified, prompting the implementation of biocultural conservation strategies. These efforts benefit four marginalized communities through sustainable agriculture, women's empowerment, ecotourism, ecosystem restoration, and education. The designation aligns with Palestine's National Biodiversity Strategy (2023-2030) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, serving as a model for conservation in politically unstable regions.
Conservation of dry-stone structures: a practical study on the Al-Makhrour’s watchtowers
A practical conservation project successfully revitalized twenty dry-stone watchtowers within the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines, Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem.' The study documented fifty watchtowers out of approximately 259 across 13 square kilometers, addressing their deteriorating condition that contributed to the site's inclusion on UNESCO's in-danger list. The project employed a multi-disciplinary approach, including field surveys, literature reviews, and assessments of previous conservation efforts, adhering to international guidelines for documentation, reversibility, authenticity, distinguishability, adaptive reuse, cultural landscape, and human dimension. This work highlights the importance of systematic conservation practices in preserving such unique cultural landscapes.
Sustainability of the Palestinian historic village of Battir
Battir, a Palestinian village renowned for its ancient terraced landscape and inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2014, faces significant challenges in preserving its historic built heritage while ensuring sustainability. A comprehensive Sustainable Plan, led by the International Peace and Cooperation Center (IPCC), outlines strategies for conserving the village core and enhancing its surroundings. The plan emphasizes the role of heritage preservation in creating socio-economic opportunities for inhabitants, focusing on better management of natural and cultural resources. Key findings highlight the current state of conservation and propose interventions to address these challenges, aiming to balance authenticity with sustainable development.
The Treasure Map of the citizen childhood
Children in Battir, Palestine, created the 'Treasure Map' by geospatializing local data during open mapping workshops at their village's public library. This innovative project, led by a team of young Palestinian professionals without prior cartographic expertise, demonstrated how citizen-driven initiatives can effectively combine scientific rigor with artistic expression to preserve and interpret local heritage. The map integrates topographic surveys from Battir and neighboring villages, offering an editable, interpretable, and visually memorable tool for public information. Unlike traditional cartographic works bound by confidentiality, this project prioritizes transparency and community engagement, showcasing the potential of participatory mapping in cultural landscape conservation.
Battir: Creative Resistance in a Front Line—Opportunities and Dilemmas of Tourism Development in a Conflict Zone
Battir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palestine, demonstrates how tourism can serve as both an economic opportunity and a tool for creative resistance against structural violence. The village's inhabitants, particularly through the legacy of Hasan Mustafa who preserved Battir during the 1948 conflict, leverage non-violent resistance to shape a conflict-sensitive tourism model that benefits the community while maintaining its cultural integrity. This study highlights the potential for Palestinian-led narratives—centered on stories of resilience and change—to elevate Battir's tourism beyond mere visitor attraction, fostering awareness about occupation and promoting inclusive economic growth. By integrating immaterial heritage (e.g., resistance narratives) into tourism products, guided by Palestinian tour guides, Battir offers a blueprint for sustainable development that aligns with UNESCO’s values while addressing the challenges of exclusionary Israeli marketing and underdeveloped Palestinian tourism strategies.
Between us bread and salt : Battiri cuisine and al-’ūnah
Palestinian resistance through culinary practices can effectively maintain cultural identity and community cohesion, as demonstrated by the village of Battir. This study reveals that food-based traditions, particularly those rooted in agricultural heritage, serve as a powerful tool for resistance against occupation, expanding the concept of al-’ūnah (collaborative work) beyond traditional Sūmūd strategies. By analyzing local dishes and their preparation, researchers highlight how Battir’s enduring inhabitants leverage domesticity to preserve land, challenge spatial appropriations, and sustain a 2,000-year-old legacy amidst ongoing conflict. Unlike narratives focused on destruction or displacement, this work underscores the resilience of continuous habitation, offering new insights into Palestinian struggle through the lens of culinary resistance.
Coltivare cibo baladii in Palestina
In the Occupied Territories, particularly in Battir (Bethlehem), Palestinian farming practices reveal intricate links between environmental agency and political dynamics. The study highlights how local food cultivation patterns, rooted in familial knowledge, reflect broader national and regional politics of nature, including denial of both human 'Others' and environmental elements. Despite military occupation and border development, Palestinian farmers maintain autonomy through ecological relationality, challenging technofix utopias and nationalist perspectives that fail to address shared environmental challenges like overheating atmospheres and resource scarcity. The research underscores the interdependence between patterns of exclusion—both social and ecological—and the resilience of local knowledge in sustaining food sovereignty amid political and environmental upheaval.
The Palestine Exploration Fund: The Collections of an Historic Learned Society in London
Founded in 1865, the Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF) holds one of the world's oldest and most significant collections of archaeological material, archives, photographs, and maps from the ancient Levant. Unlike many contemporary collections, the PEF's holdings are primarily derived from legally conducted excavations, adhering to the protocols of their time, which minimizes concerns over repatriation. The collection, spanning the 19th and early 20th centuries, includes material from key projects such as Warren's excavations in Jerusalem (1866–1870) and the Survey of Western Palestine (1871–1878), alongside significant photographic and documentary archives. This unique assembly provides invaluable context for understanding the history of archaeology and the region's cultural landscape, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Battir in southern Jerusalem. The PEF's strict acquisition policy—rejecting unprovenanced material since the 1900s—ensures compliance with modern international standards while preserving its scholarly integrity. The collection's strength lies not only in its artifacts but also in its interconnected archives, which offer a holistic perspective on the region's history.
The Politics and Power of Tourism in Palestine
Palestine's tourism landscape, particularly around UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Battir, is shaped by complex political and social dynamics that both empower local communities and reflect broader struggles for recognition. The study reveals how alternative forms of tourism, such as solidarity and eco-tourism, serve as tools for resistance and cultural preservation, while also highlighting the challenges posed by international boycotts and restricted mobility. Research approaches include case studies on community-based rural tourism, pilgrimage, and the Gaza Virtual Museum Project, which collectively underscore the potential of tourism to foster resilience and identity amid political constraints. The findings emphasize the need for sustainable models that balance economic development with cultural heritage conservation in conflict-affected regions.
The role of tourism in Jerusalem’s future
A strategic urban division, the 'Jerusalem Envelope,' has been identified as a key factor shaping Jerusalem's future, particularly concerning tourism and demographic dynamics. This study reveals that the planned infrastructure, including command posts like Metzudat Adumim, aims to disrupt potential Palestinian urban contiguity between Ramallah and Bethlehem, while also influencing tourism patterns along tectonic fault lines between East and West Jerusalem. The research highlights that Jerusalem's tourism, with over two million foreign visitors annually, has led to significant congestion in the Holy Basin, necessitating innovative urban planning solutions. A proposed two-municipality model is suggested as a logical framework for future management, benefiting both Israel and Palestinian interests by mitigating potential demographic shifts.
“L’écomusée n’est pas musée”. Gli ecomusei come laboratori produttori di cultura, territorio e relazione
Ecomuseums, as dynamic cultural and social engines, offer a unique model for preserving and valuing local heritage while fostering community engagement. Unlike traditional museums, ecomuseums disperse their functions across the territory, rooted in specific socio-geographical milieus and designed with local participation. This study highlights their potential to resist territorial destruction, as demonstrated by the proposed Landscape Ecomuseum in Battir, Palestine—a site of historical and anthropological significance threatened by conflict. By promoting shared universal values, ecomuseums serve as laboratories for producing culture, territory, and social relations, embodying a democratized approach to heritage that challenges hegemonic narratives.
Naḥal Refa’im (South)
A salvage excavation at Naḥal Refa’im, south of Battir village, revealed significant archaeological remains prior to the construction of the separation fence. Conducted in May-June 2007 along the western bank of Nahal Refa’im and near the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem railroad track, the excavation uncovered valuable insights into the cultural landscape of the region. Directed by Y. Dagan with contributions from local villagers, including Mr. A. Sharshur, the study utilized a combination of surveying, field photography, GPS mapping, and administrative coordination to document and analyze the site. This work, supported by the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Ministry of Defense, provides crucial data on the historical significance of Battir's landscape, contributing to the understanding of its heritage within the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir.'
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