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PA eyes its first World Heritage site
Ziv Reinstein
Published: 25.06.12, 07:30
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11 Talkbacks for this article
1. World heritage site
Israeli ,   Rehovot Israel   (06.25.12)
Rather ironic of the Palestinian authority to claim ownership of a church
2. Arafats tomb will be the next heritage site on the list
zionist forever   (06.25.12)
Ever since they got their membership of UNESCO they have been proposing heritage site after heritage site including declaring many Jewish sites as being Muslim or ' palestinian ' ones. It really would not surprise me in the slightest if they did propose Arafat's tomb and knowing UNESCO they would get it.
3. @1 Not Ironic at all
David ,   San Francisco   (06.25.12)
Why would it be ironic? Bethlehem is a Palestinian city and 95% of the Christians in the holy land are Christian. There are several Palestinian Christian mayors, including the mayors of Bethlehem and Ramallah- the capital of the Palestinian Authority. Contrary to what your Jewish leaders have told you the last 10 years, Palestinian Christians play a pretty active role in Palestinian politics in the West Bank.
4. #3 - keep on dreaming
Arthur ,   SF, CA   (06.25.12)
Beis Lechem has been a Jewish City for over 1,500 years before the first arab trespasser set his foot on the Land of Israel. King David came from Beis Lechem, even the Jew - to whom the entire Xtian world bows - has a history in this city as well. So, tell me, what is so "fakestinian" about this City? Lies, lies, and more lies...
5. islamic nefarious designs.
pm ,   india   (06.25.12)
i realy feel pity&anger over israel govt.for the silence and apathy about these islamist thugs encroachment which is happening right infront of its eyes.muslims don't have any right over christian properties.unesco is an agency for muslims and filled with greedy people.Long time ago rome have become a yielding tool of islamists.even if jews don't accept jesus as part of their religion,when you consider his jewish descendency and pure right to the holy land they should have raised their voices and staunchly oppose this islamic looting spree without any reasonable resistance.Their aim is to gradually turn each christian and jewish sites into muslim property. wake up israel before it's too late.
6. Bethlehem Nativity church
jayampathi de silva ,   seeduwa,sri lanka   (06.25.12)
Bethlehem is the birth town of David. when UNESCO deciding heritage site they have to understand the reality. well its may be now in 'Palestine' hand, but the name Palestine is a product of Roman king Hadrian! in ancient time it 's in Judea and Samaria.Hadrian rename land of Israel as' Palestine' in AD 131 after Roman Jewish wars. 'Palestinians' holds Jordanian passports even on 1960 's! therefor before deciding the heritage site issue, UNESCO must take into consideration all historical facts .
7. How much time will they able to maintain that ...
Nel Sema ,   Spharad   (06.25.12)
... just before use it as shield or missile launching site?
8. #3 David
Moshe of Rockville ,   Rockville,MD USA   (06.25.12)
Your statement,""95% of the Christians in the holy land are Christian" would indicate that 5% are other than Christian.Please clarify.
9. These sites belong to Israel and we claim them all.
Chaim ,   Israel   (06.25.12)
Under no circumstances should we allow these fraudulent "Palestinian" poseurs to claim a single grain of our sand. These sites all belong to Israel and we claim them all. Poseurs out!
10. #3 - did you just say "95% of Christians in holy land are"
William ,   Israel   (06.25.12)
Christians"?? I would almost agree if you said "Arab" but not if you "inferred" they were all "Palestinian". Many Christians in the region are not from the Arab invasion which arrived in 7th century which were ALL Muslim and converted or killed many Jews and Christians. Christians in the area are from the Byzantine/E. Mediterranean stock, with many from non-Arab descendents. Just like the Christians in Egypt, Lebanon, and Iraq. You claiming Bethlehem is a "Palestinian" city is the same as claiming Lhasa a Han Chinese city. Simply because it was invaded and now ruled over by a group doesn't mean it took on the rulers' identity and history, or visa versa. There is still debate on anything related to "Palestinians" especially history which was never attributed to them until very recently. Prior to 1970s, and Arafat's attempt to create a unified people and bestow upon them a fabricated history and narrative, a city like Bethlehem was never considered Arab or Western, but rather a Christian city. And if, as you claim, Christianity's 2nd holiest locale is "Palestinian", then why does the PLO/PA allow Muslims to fabricate land deeds and steal away land from Christians and harass them without repercussions?
11. Both they and us have indigenous roots in the area
Avi Bar Mor   (06.26.12)
Like Jews Arabs in Israel and the West Bank/Gaza have diverse genealogical histories. However a high percentage by DNA analysis share common ancestry with Jews, interestingly Ashkenazim slightly more than Sephardim. You cannot deny the roots of Palestinians without negating our own claims.
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