The UN cultural agency on Tuesday adopted an Arab-sponsored resolution on east Jerusalem which Israel has said ignores Jewish ties to a key holy site.
A spokesman for Paris-based UNESCO said the resolution, which has caused Israel to suspend its cooperation with the agency, was adopted without a new vote after being approved at the committee stage last week.
The text, which touches on Israel's management of Palestinian religious sites, has infuriated Israel by referring throughout to Al-Aqsa Mosque Compound in east Jerusalem's Old City — Islam's third holiest site — only by its Muslim names: Al-Aqsa and Al-Haram Al-Sharif.
The site is also revered by Jews as the Temple Mount which housed the First and Second Temples.
Palestine's deputy ambassador to UNESCO, Mounir Anastas, told reporters the resolution "reminds Israel that they are the occupying power in east Jerusalem and it asks them to stop all their violations," including archaeological excavations around religious sites.
It is the second time this year that UNESCO has been the arena of tensions between Israel and Arab countries.
In April, the organization passed a resolution condemning "Israeli aggressions and illegal measures against the freedom of worship and Muslims' access to Al-Aqsa Mosque".
That led Netanyahu to propose a “seminar on Jewish history” for UN staff in Israel.
Source: Arab News
GMT 15:34 2018 Friday ,14 December
Moscow ready for Putin-Trump meetingGMT 13:40 2018 Friday ,14 December
Britain and EU should prepare for second Brexit referendumGMT 11:43 2018 Friday ,14 December
Kosovo to build an army amid tensions with SerbiaGMT 11:52 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Britain's May to appeal to EU for help to salvage Brexit dealGMT 10:28 2018 Wednesday ,12 December
Huawei Executive Gets Bail In Case Rattling China TiesGMT 09:01 2018 Tuesday ,11 December
US marines missing after aircraft collision off Japan confirmed deadGMT 08:55 2018 Monday ,10 December
Top EU court to issue decision on reversal of BrexitGMT 08:37 2018 Monday ,10 December
Peruvians vote for anti-corruption reformsMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor