The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is now the first Palestinian world heritage site . Concerns have been raised over the condition of the church , which has suffered extensive earthquake damage in its long history . The vote signals a tightening of Israeli control on Palestinian affairs , a Palestinian official says . ` ` This is a real case of the absurd , '' says an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman . U.S. and Israeli funding to UNESCO was cut over Palestinian membership .
The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is now the first Palestinian world heritage site . The vote signals a tightening of Israeli control on Palestinian affairs , a Palestinian official says . ` ` This is a real case of the absurd , '' says an Israeli foreign ministry spokesman . U.S. and Israeli funding to UNESCO was cut over Palestinian membership .