Demand Historians Speak Out Against Destruction of Heritage Sites

The Israeli military has systematically destroyed hundreds of cultural heritage sites across Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran—including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Baalbek, Tyre, and Golestan Palace. Despite this unprecedented assault on global heritage, prominent historical and archaeological societies have remained silent or actively suppressed member efforts to speak out. The American Historical Association vetoed its own members' resolution condemning scholasticide in Gaza. The Society for American Archaeology has said nothing about the destruction of archaeological sites. High-profile public historians like Sir Simon Schama and Dame Mary Beard—who have built careers celebrating ancient history—have either defended Israel or stayed silent. This campaign demands that these historians and historical societies break their silence, denounce the IDF's bombing of historical sites, and demand an end to Israel's blatant disregard for international law governing cultural property.