Jesus’ Birthplace in Danger: Will UNESCO Choose PA Hype over Expert Findings?

Israel: Daily Alert/

Jesus' birthplace in the Church of the Nativity/ pixnpens.blogspot.com

The upcoming meeting of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee is liable to find that the “Birthplace of Jesus: the Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage route in Bethlehem” is under urgent danger and worthy of special UN protection. The PLO, which became a member of UNESCO in October 2011, claims there is an “emergency situation” that needs to be addressed by “an emergency measure.” Yet the PLO’s submission has been completely rejected by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) – a Paris-based entity that advises the World Heritage Committee.
After a comprehensive investigation, ICOMOS reported: “[T]he Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage route in Bethlehem, Palestine, should not be inscribed on the World Heritage List on an emergency basis….Contrary to the Palestinian submission now before the UNESCO committee, the Church of the Nativity was neither ‘severely damaged,’ nor ‘under imminent threat.’”
The expert evaluation is public and known. Yet does anyone expect the 21-nation UNESCO committee to rule based on objective findings? (UN Watch)