Decision 41 COM 7A.42

Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Palestine) (C 1433)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 7A.14, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016);
3. Commends the State Party on the successful completion of the conservation works of the roof and of the narthex of the Church of the Nativity and notes that the church is now in sound condition in relation to the primary factors leading to its decay;
4. Also notes that three of the four corrective measures have been completed and that the remaining one, the development of a Conservation Plan, is being planned;
5. Requests the State Party to complete the Conservation Plan and submit it to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, along with details of recent work on mosaics, plaster, architraves, stone pillar, etc.;
6. Also requests the State Party to submit a resume and analysis of all evidence relating to the age of the roof fabric in order that there is a clear understanding as to whether any material survives from the 6th century AD and if not what of the dates of the surviving fabric in relation with the conservation works undertaken;
7. Further requests the State Party to complete the development of a Management Plan and also submit it to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
8. Notes with concern that the proposed projects for a Manger Square Tunnel and a Manger Square Village commercial outlet and car park could have the potential to impact adversely on the property; and requests furthermore the State Party to halt further work on these projects and compile the necessary justification and independent Heritage Impact Assessments and submit these to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, in line with the requirements of Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, before any irreversible commitments are made;
9. Finally requests that the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018;
10. Decides to retain the Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Palestine) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.