(ANSAmed) - JERUSALEM, JUNE 13 - A confrontation between Israel
and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is on the horizon
over the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, as Israel attempts
to block a request by the PNA to register the church as part of
the cultural heritage of the "State of Palestine" during the
forthcoming meeting of the World Heritage Commission in Russia
from June 24 to July 6.
The news was revealed by the Jerusalem Post newspaper, which explains that the Commission has announced that the church, and the nearby Pilgrim Road are among the 36 sites to be discussed during the meeting. The debate will decide the Commission's first verdict on the registration of a cultural landmark protected by the State of Palestine.
The PNA is in a position to make the request as UNESCO recognised Palestine as its 195th member state in October last year, despite protests from Israel and the criticism of the United States. Palestine, as a member of the UN's cultural organisation, enjoys full rights, including that of registering sites to be submitted for protection on the World Heritage list.
Israel, however, is opposed to the move and considers it part of a "unilateral" strategy launched by the PNA on the international stage since the stall in bilateral talks. (ANSAmed).
The news was revealed by the Jerusalem Post newspaper, which explains that the Commission has announced that the church, and the nearby Pilgrim Road are among the 36 sites to be discussed during the meeting. The debate will decide the Commission's first verdict on the registration of a cultural landmark protected by the State of Palestine.
The PNA is in a position to make the request as UNESCO recognised Palestine as its 195th member state in October last year, despite protests from Israel and the criticism of the United States. Palestine, as a member of the UN's cultural organisation, enjoys full rights, including that of registering sites to be submitted for protection on the World Heritage list.
Israel, however, is opposed to the move and considers it part of a "unilateral" strategy launched by the PNA on the international stage since the stall in bilateral talks. (ANSAmed).
