"Occupying forces" / UNESCO condemned the Israeli policy in Jerusalem

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a resolution condemning Israeli policy in East Jerusalem and the occupied Gaza Strip. They state that the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, UNESCO affirms that East Jerusalem occupied city and that all Israeli measures and actions that have changed or that they intend to change the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, especially the "basic law" on Jerusalem null and void, according to WAFA.

The resolution was adopted by 22 countries, 10 were against and 23 abstained.

The resolution affirms that the Old City of Jerusalem "complete Palestinian" and emphasized his "Muslim and Christian" heritage. Israel is also described as an "occupying force" that does not have sovereignty over the city. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Malki said in a statement welcomed this resolution. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resolution is called "absurd".

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday all countries to move its embassy to Jerusalem in response to the committee's decision by UNESCO to adopt a resolution that criticizes Israel. Israeli Foreign Ministry held that this was "unnecessary politicization of UNESCO" and warned that the resolution will "harm the worsening status and relevance." The resolution, proposed by several Arab countries, milder than the decision of UNESCO since last year in which several sites mentioned by their Arabic names, while Israeli terms largely ignored.

• 3 May, 2017
• 1156 views