Bill would limit ISIS profits from cultural destruction

Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee have introduced legislation to help prevent destruction to cultural heritage in war zones occupied by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

The bill would restrict U.S. imports on Syria archaeological material, similar to an international policy established in Iraq. Lawmakers said the proposal would curb the Islamic State’s ability to reap profits from stolen historical artifacts.

{mosads}”Wars have long caused terrible destruction and looting of priceless cultural property, from the Nazi theft of artwork during World War II to Syria’s bombing of Aleppo to ISIL’s selling-off of ancient treasures. We need to strengthen our ability to stop history’s looters from profiting off their crimes,” said Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The members introducing the bill noted that the Islamic State intentionally destroys historical sites in the Middle East as a means of terrorism and essentially trying to erase history. ISIS militants have bombed the tomb of the prophet Jonah, bulldozed the ancient Assyrian capital of Nimrud, and used sledgehammers to demolish stone sculptures in the Mosul Museum, among other sites.

“The history of civilization is under attack,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) said in a statement. “The militants have defaced churches and shrines of importance to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, and have smuggled and sold precious artifacts on the black market to fund their heinous campaign of violence.”

The measure would also establish a position at the State Department, deemed the Coordinator for International Cultural Property Protection, as well as a Coordinating Committee, to handle initiatives between agencies to prevent cultural property destruction abroad. 

The bill’s sponsors include Engel and Royce, as well as Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Bill Keating (D-Mass.).