Palestine to push heritage agenda at UNESCO

Palestine to push heritage agenda at UNESCO

The Palestinian government says it would seek World Heritage status for the birthplace of Jesus once the UN cultural agency admits them as a full member.
 
A natural right       

The  Palestinian Authority Minister, Hamdan Taha, who deals with antiquities and culture, said UNESCO membership was the Palestinians' natural right.

He described as regrettable, the objections of some governments including the US.

UNESCO's board decided last week to let member states vote on a Palestinian application for full membership.

The bid is seen as part of Palestinians’ drive for recognition as a state in the UN system, which was opposed by Israel and the US.

“UNESCO membership carries a message of justice and rights. Why must the Palestinians be left outside the international system? I see it as crowning long efforts over the past 20 years.” Taha said.

World Heritage status

He said that after gaining full UNESCO membership, the Palestinians would revive their bid to secure World Heritage status for Bethlehem and its Church of the Nativity, revered as the birthplace of Jesus.

“This is a simple example of how Palestine has not been able to preserve its cultural heritage through the tools granted to every state in the world. We will call on the World Heritage Committee to activate this application. We expect that after Bethlehem, other sites will follow.’’ Taha said.

These are likely to include Hebron, an ancient city home to a shrine holy to Jews and Muslims, which is one of the most volatile spots in the West Bank.

The vote on Palestinian membership is expected at UNESCO's General Conference, which runs from October 25 to November 10.  The Palestinians have had observer status at UNESCO since 1974.

Oppositions

The US has opposed the move describing it as part of a unilateral Palestinian bid to bypass the two-decade-old peace process.

Washington says negotiations with Israel are the only way for the Palestinians to achieve their goal of statehood in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem.

UNESCO has been the first UN agency to which the Palestinians have applied for full membership since President Mahmoud Abbas submitted their request to become a member state of the UN on September 23.

This was also faced with stiff US opposition.

Israel's ambassador to UNESCO has also condemned the move, saying politicising UNESCO will undermine its ability to carry out its mandate.

But Taha described the Palestinians' motives as purely cultural.

“This will allow Palestine to actively participate in protecting cultural heritage in the Palestinian territories,’’ Taha said.