JERUSALEM, Israel -- An Israeli official says that the admission of Palestinians as a member state of UNESCO has emboldened them to claim Judeo-Christian biblical sites as their own.

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization admitted the Palestinians as a member state Nov. 1.

One of those sites is the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Four thousand years ago, the Bible says Abraham bought the cave in Hebron to bury his wife Sarah. Isaac, Jacob and their wives are also buried there.

But Palestinians want UNESCO to recognize the Cave of the Patriarchs and other sites as Muslim holy places in "Palestine."

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Defining Marriage: Is Traditional Culture in Danger?

WASHINGTON -- Efforts are underway in nation's capital to wipe out the Defense of Marriage Act -- the federal law that defines marriage the traditional way.

DOMA also protects states from having to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states and ensures federal benefits only go to married heterosexual couples.

Opponents question why the government is allowed to descriminate against homosexual couples.

But DOMA supporters say throughout history, governments have found it crucial to promote marriage as between one man and one woman.