Decision 44 COM 7B.135

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

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7B.Add.2,
2. Recalling Decision 43 COM 7A.28, adopted at its 43rd session (Baku, 2019),
3. Commends the State Party for the continued implementation of the high-quality conservation work at the Church of the Nativity and the planning for the elaboration of a risk preparedness plan, and encourages the State Party to pursue its efforts to secure resources for the remaining necessary interventions;
4. Takes note of the preparation by the State Party of the Mobility Study – Transport and Mobility Strategy for the Conurbation of Bethlehem, and the Marketing Policies and Plan for Star Street and urges the State Party to implement the Mobility Strategy as soon as practicable;
5. Welcomes the rehabilitation of Star Street and its branches, and requests the State Party to submit additional information, specifically with regards to:
   1. Moving the main visitor car parking adjacent to the Action Club roundabout,
   2. Using matching materials in repairs following removal of inappropriate additions and mechanical and electrical services, based on the principle of minimum intervention,
   3. Design guidance for shopfronts,
   4. Avoiding uniformity in shopfront colours, and avoiding the use of billboards without further justification,
   5. Conformity with the recommendations of the ICOMOS technical review of 2019;
6. Also welcomes the development and implementation of a unified signage strategy for cultural and tourist sites, and also requests the State Party to provide further information in this regard;
7. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2023, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above.