Unesco's message

The squabble over the Church of the Nativity has a clear message for Israel

Built on the spot known as the birthplace of Jesus, the ancient Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, holds an unchallenged place in the world's cultural heritage.

But on Friday, when the UN cultural agency Unesco added the church to its World Heritage List, Israel reacted with anger and the Palestinians with jubilation.

The 13-6 vote by Unesco's World Heritage Committee was an unmistakable political victory for Palestinians, and a reminder that the tide of world opinion is turning against the interminable Israeli occupation.

The Palestinian Authority had proposed the site for fast-track recognition, even though Unesco's technical advisers said the church, while dilapidated, did not qualify. Instead, the "fast track" sent a message following last year's bid for UN recognition of Palestinian statehood. That campaign, which stalled under pressure exerted by the United States, must now be renewed. After all, the Unesco decision makes it clear that Palestinians are active participants in global forums.

Israel has trapped itself, forced to deny that such a historic site should be recognised, to rationalise its unjust occupation. A message is being sent day by day from across the world: Israel's policies are just plain wrong.