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🇵🇸 ITUC solidarity mission to Palestine begins in Bethlehem. ITUC General Secretary @luc_triangle met today with PGFTU General Secretary Shaher Saad, Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Hani Al-Hayek, Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Hanania, local authorities and tourism workers. The visit included meetings with religious representatives at the Church of the Nativity and a visit to the Riwaya Museum, which both illustrate the importance of Palestinian cultural and religious heritage and the jobs it supports. Hundreds of thousands of tourists and pilgrims are no longer visiting Bethlehem and its surrounding holy sites, contributing to the loss of an estimated 30,000 jobs. These sites are part of the world's cultural and religious heritage and must be accessible without restrictions. In response to Israeli movement restrictions that undermine Palestinian tourism and workers' livelihoods, the ITUC, PGFTU, the Ministry and Bethlehem Municipality signed an Agreement on Principles and Solidarity to protect Christian religious and cultural heritage in Palestine, ensure safe access to holy sites and defend the rights of Palestinian tourism workers.