UNESCO votes to add Bethlehem holy sites to world heritage list ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency June 29, 2012 - 12:00am BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- UNESCO on Friday declared Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity and the nearby pilgrimage route World Heritage sites. Thirteen members of the 21-nation World Heritage Committee voted in favor of the Palestinian application, securing exactly the needed number of votes. Two countries abstained and six voted against the bid. "I am delighted," Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki told the conference in St. Petersburg, to rapturous applause. "You have our most gracious thanks." » Read more

Lessons from Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency by Tania Hary - (Opinion) June 29, 2012 - 12:00am This month, I mark two important events which took place five years ago and changed the course of my life. It has been five years since I moved to Israel from New York and five years since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip and the closure of the enclave tightened. » Read more