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UK rejects UNESCO motion condemning Israel over Temple Mount
The UK voted against a Palestinian-sponsored motion at UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation), which condemned Israel for alleged “aggression” at the emotive Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The motion was nonetheless carried.
The resolution, which was submitted by six Arab countries on behalf of the Palestinians, eventually omitted a clause which would have recognised the Western Wall as part of the al-Aqsa Mosque atop the Temple Mount, effectively declaring it a Muslim site. UNESCO head Irina Boskova publicly opposed the Western Wall clause and said that such a declaration would likely “incite further tensions,” given the current violence in which the Temple Mount has been a focal point. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly publicly rejected Palestinian claims that Israel plans to alter the status quo at the site, which permits only Muslim prayer.
Nonetheless, the eventual text “strongly condemns Israeli aggression and illegal measures restricting freedom of worship and access to the holy Muslim site of the al-Aqsa Mosque.” The motion also declares that “Al-Haram Al-Ibrahimi/Tomb of the Patriarchs and the Bilal Ibn Rabah mosque/Rachel’s Tomb” are integral parts of Palestine. Both shrines, which are situated in Bethlehem and Hebron respectively are considered prominent Jewish holy sites.
UNESCO’s executive board approved the motion, with 26 representatives in favour, 25 abstentions and just six voting against. The UK opposed the resolution alongside the United States, Germany, Holland, the Czech Republic and Estonia. France was among those who abstained.
According to the Times of Israel, an unnamed UK official explained the government’s opposition saying, “The language is unacceptable, and we don’t think it’s helpful to bring in a provocative motion at times of tensions … We regret that there wasn’t more time to discuss the motion.”
Israel’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Carmel Shama Hacohen commented, “Since last year we have been warning the [UNESCO] executive board that the anti-Israeli decisions are part of a Palestinian incitement campaign that aims to inflame the already sensitive situation on the ground.”