UNESCO Adds “Intifada Dress” to Intangible Heritage List

Yesterday I posted the disgraceful “question” by journalist Abdel Hamid Abdel Jaber at a recent UN press briefing, who attacked Israel for stealing palestinian culture, pointing to a photo of Miss Universe contestants in ‘palestinian embroidered dresses‘.

The UN spokesperson answered by directing him to speak to UNESCO. As I wrote:

And I suspect if he does contact UNESCO, they won’t be setting him straight.

How right I was.

Little did I know, but UNESCO had announced the following earlier that day:

The art of embroidery in Palestine, practices, skills, knowledge and rituals

The art of traditional embroidery is widespread in Palestine. Originally made and worn in rural areas, the practice is now common in all of Palestine and among members of the diaspora. Women’s village clothing usually consists of a long dress, trousers, a jacket, a headdress and a veil. Each of these garments is embroidered with a variety of symbols including birds, trees and flowers. The choice of colours and designs indicates the woman’s regional identity and marital and economic status. On the main garment, the loose-fitting dress called a thob, the chest, sleeves and cuffs are covered with embroidery. Embroidered, vertical panels run down the dress from the waist. The embroidery is sewn with silk thread on wool, linen or cotton. Embroidery is a social and intergenerational practice, as women gather in each other’s homes to practise embroidery and sewing, often with their daughters. Many women embroider as a hobby, and some produce and sell embroidered pieces to supplement their family’s income, either on their own or in collaboration with other women. These groups gather in each other’s homes or in community centres, where they may also market their work. The practice is transmitted from mother to daughter and through formal training courses.

In other words, it looks like UNESCO would agree with Jaber!

It gets worse.

The nomination form upon which this decision was based (falsely) implies that the palestinian Arabs have been there since the Canaanite era (and not since the Islamic conquest of the area in the 7th century) – a favorite lie of the palestinian Arabs:

Not only that, but it glorifies violence:

And UNESCO officials read this and decided to go ahead and add it to the Intangible Heritage list.

The only thing intangible here is the hatred towards us – and the UN’s willingness to buy into it.

Hat tip: UN Watch

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