RAMALLAH, Minister of Culture Atef Abu Seif said today that the inclusion of the Palestinian embroidery in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a recognition of the Palestinian peoples’ sole ownership of their embroidery and everything that has to do with it, and is an affirmation that the occupying power, Israel, has no right to steal the heritage of the Palestinian people.

“This decision resonates the fact that the world does not believe everything related to this occupation, which not only wants to steal the land but also our narrative and existence,” Abu Seif told the official Palestine TV.

“The Palestinian ‘thobe’ (traditional Palestinian dress) is a landmark and an identity of heritage that expresses the presence of the Palestinian human being in his space and time, and his rejuvenation and harmony,” he said. “Every Palestinian ‘stitch’ has a story in the history and components of the Palestinian ‘thobe’ that goes back to ancient religious mythologies that preceded the three monotheistic religions.”

Abu Seif pointed out that the Palestinian “thobe”, hand-stitched with colorful Palestinian embroidery, is a painting that expresses the presence of the Palestinian people. “No matter how much thieves try to steal this Palestinian reality, they will not be able to convince anyone that they have anything in this country because they seek to Judaize and steal everything in vain,” he said.

Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency