Israeli officials seeking to redeem UNESCO credibility over Aqsa Mosque resolution

Israeli officials and diplomats are working hard to convince member states on the World Heritage Committee (WHC) to redeem UNESCO’s credibility over a resolution issued recently denying the Jews any link to Aqsa Mosque, Voice of Israel reported. 

Following the passing of a contentious resolution denying any Jewish connection to Haram el Sharif (referred to by Jews as the Temple Mount) or Western Wall in Jerusalem, another body within the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) is set to vote on a similar statement declaring the sites holy to Muslims alone.

Israel officials are seeking to vote against the blatant insult to the Bible, documented history, and scientific archaeology, the resolution is expected to pass easily after the success of its predecessor. The vote will be taken Wednesday.

The Palestinian Authority and Jordan, which controls Haram al Sharif complex, want the new resolution to pass with the full consensus of all 21 WHC members. 

On Monday, they sent letters to the member states, asking each to clarify their positions.

Without full approval, they said, they would alter and resubmit the text with language that Israel’s UNESCO ambassador, Carmel Shama-Hacohen, said would be even more anti-Israel.

The 21 WHC member states are Finland, Poland, Portugal, Croatia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, South Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Peru, Cuba, Jamaica, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Angola and Tanzania