Archaeology, Heritage and the Limits of Discourse on Gaza

Abstract

This brief paper offers a summary of a discussion held in Berlin in the fall of 2025 on archaeology, cultural heritage and international law in the Israel-Palestine context. We present three primary issues that were debated. The first involved the impact of adopting a specific definition of antisemitism and its role in fostering or restricting debate in archaeology and beyond. Second, the discussion revolved around archaeologists’ responsibilities in the context of the ongoing conflict in the region and the place of international law in guiding archaeological and cultural heritage work. Finally, the politicized role of heritage in identity building, especially in a situation of stark power imbalance, was debated.