UNESCO FLEXES ITS MUSCLES AND GIVES BETHLEHEM A HELPING HAND
29th June 2012

UNESCO voted 13 to 6 at a meeting in Russia’s St Petersburg today, to grant the city of Bethlehem, in the occupied Palestinian territories, the status of endangered World Heritage site. Despite Bethlehem’s 1.5 million visitors as year, it has not blossomed owing to security concerns and Israeli restrictions. The Church of the Nativity, for instance, which is considered to enshrine the site where Jesus was born, is said to be in serious need of repair. The vote will now generate a welcome boost to the city and its holy places thanks to the added attention and funds it will receive.

Israel and the US, however, are not amused. They consider the move a propaganda coup for Palestinian authorities and fear it will be exploited to the limit. The two countries cut their contributions to UNESCO in consequence of its acceptance of Palestine as a full member state. That amounted to over a quarter of its annual revenue, so UNESCO has little left to fear from Obama or Netanyahu.