Holy Land: Church of Nativity becomes World Heritage Site

Church of the Nativity

The Church of the Nativity, traditional birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem, and destination for Christian pilgrims for more than 1600 years, has been listed as a World Heritage site, by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO at its 36th session on Friday, 29 June.

The historic decision was approved by a vote of 13-6 in the 21-member committee, according to UNESCO spokeswoman Sue Williams, and following an emergency candidacy procedure that by-passed the 18-month process for most sites, despite the opposition of the United States and Israel.

The site has also been placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger as it is suffering from damages due to water leaks.

The bid - the first since the Palestinians won controversial membership of UNESCO in October 2011 - was submitted 'on an emergency basis' because the Palestinians say urgent restoration work to the church is needed.

Palestinians have welcomed the decision, saying it is an "historic day for justice."

"This global recognition of the rights of the Palestinian people is a victory for our cause and for justice," president Mahmud Abbas's spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina told AFP.

"This decision shows that it's natural that the world is with us and recognises the rights of the Palestinian people and the state of Palestine," he said.

Israel's premier said the decision proved the UN organisation was motivated by politics.
"This decision proves that UNESCO is motivated by political motives, not cultural ones," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.

In Bethlehem, the municipality organised a celebration in Manger Square in the heart of the biblical city. For Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem, the news is a great boost.

Fr Aziz Allawa, a Palestinian Catholic priest from the nearby Beit Sahur parish told AFP: "It's a magnificent surprise."

See also ICN 3 September 2010: Palestinians begin major restoration work on Church of the Nativity www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=16652

Source: AFP/Wiki/HLM