Israel Matzav

Israel reducing cooperation with UNESCO

To protest the designation of Rachel's tomb as a Muslim cultural site, Israel has announced that it is reducing its cooperation with UNESCO.

Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said Israel would not cooperate with UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - in administering five protected sites in Palestinian territory as a dispute that has escalated in recent weeks came to a head.

The ancient tomb, which lies between Jerusalem and the nearby Palestinian-controlled city of Bethlehem, is traditionally regarded as the burial place of a biblical matriarch and is holy to Christians, Muslims and Jews.

Speaking with journalists in Jerusalem, Ayalon blamed the Palestinians for influencing the UN to side against Israel.

"This is another attempt at de-legitimization by the Palestinian Authority," he said.

However, Israel's reaction was not quite as serious as it first appeared. Ayalon's spokeswoman said that Israel would cut off relations with UNESCO altogether - but shortly after said that the announcement had been made in error and retracted the statement.

UNESCO had become a "rubber stamp" for the Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas, Ayalon added:

"Decisions like this take us farther away from peace and understanding between our two nations."

We should cut relations altogether until the decision is changed - and ask our allies to do the same.

Labels: Bethlehem, Danny Ayalon, Rachel's tomb, UNESCO

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:30 AM