The owner of the building, which dates back to late nineteenth century, has filed in a claim to open the door on the main street. After observing the site by members of the sub organization committee, during a local council meeting number (102) on June 7, 2014 they reached a decision to refuse opening the door as it is against the bylaws of the ancient and traditional buildings and for the historical and cultural value the building has in the center of the historic town of Bethlehem.
Despite the rejection from Bethlehem Municipality, on the evening of Thursday August 29, 2014, the owner demolished an entire building frontal with a height of 4 meters and a width of 3.5 meters. The owner demolished the main frontal which overlooks Al-Njajareh quarter; he then installed a metal door of 4 meters height. One of the significant features in the building is two windows which resembles the traditional architectural style of Bethlehem city, which was entirely removed except the upper part.
The owner assembled the stones into a truck and ordered it to be sent to Al-Ezaryieh to lose their track, however the police followed the truck and stopped the operation of dumping the ancient stones and obtained them. Moreover, in the presence of police officers, the municipality workers removed the metal door and rebuilt the frontal. Bethlehem Municipality has filed in a report against the owner and held him in custody due to his national criminal act.
The Mayor of Bethlehem; Mrs. Vera Baboun has pointed out to the seriousness and the danger of such an act, especially in Bethlehem due to its significance as it was enlisted on the endangered World Heritage sites. The ancient and historical buildings and houses have contributed in enlisting Bethlehem by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – UNESCO on the endangered World Heritage sites list. Hence all organizations ought to work together to protect and help preserve the ancient buildings without preventing the citizens of their right to build and expand. 3 months ago the Palestinian representative at UNESCO headed to the Bethlehem Municipality in order to make laws to prevent such acts and to preserve the ancient and historical sites in Bethlehem. He also asked for a law that would ensure the citizens to file in a request on any building or expanding acts in Star Street, Manger Square and Al-Najajreh quarter to be approved by the UNESCO.
In this regard, Arch. Issam Juha; Deputy Mayor and the director of The Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation, stated that Bethlehem Municipality in cooperation with CHHP has set 'the bylaws of the Conservation of the Historic Centre of Bethlehem and the traditional individual buildings' to protect the ancient and historical centres, preserve the architectural style and heritage in Bethlehem and organizing the building, expansion and demolition acts.
The Mayor of Bethlehem has reinforced that it is a national responsibility, as preserving and protecting the ancient, historical, religious and cultural identity is an act of resistance against the Israeli Occupation and is a mean of representing the Palestinian identity. The Mayor highlighted that any act of assault against Bethlehem's identity, culture and the authenticity of the city is an act of assault on the entire Palestinian culture and identity. Moreover, the Municipality would not hesitate to take legal measures on such acts.
Bethlehem Municipality encourages all organizations to work together to prevent such acts and to protect and preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of Bethlehem. It also calls for the maximum penalty on any individual who commits such actions.
