UNESCO voted in favour of a resolution which describes Israel as an “occupying power” and denies its sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem. Twenty-two countries voted in favour of the resolution which was submitted to UNESCO’s Executive Board by Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar and Sudan. The United States, Germany, Italy and seven other board members voted against it.
The text which was voted on included the following phrase: “All legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular the ‘basic law’ on Jerusalem, are null and must be rescinded forthwith.”
It calls on Israel, as the “occupying power”, to cease “persistent excavations, tunneling, works and projects in East Jerusalem”, which the Palestinians want as the capital of their future state. It reaffirms “the importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls for the three monotheistic religions”, while accusing Israel of taking actions that have “altered, or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City”.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki welcomed the result of the vote, saying that the world had chosen to “stand on the side of what is right in the face of [Israel’s] injustice, occupation and its illegitimate policies.” “We will defend our heritage and culture, our past and our future,” Malki said.
Source: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/unesco-passes-jerusalem-resolution…
