UNESCO ignores IS atrocities but criticizes Jerusalem light rail - Shlomo Cesana, AP, and Israel Hayom Staff

by Shlomo Cesana, AP, and Israel Hayom Staff

U.N. cultural body criticizes Israeli development projects for harming the "visual integrity and authentic character" of the Old City walls • Foreign Ministry Director General Dore Gold slams UNESCO criticism as "misplaced and hypocritical."

 

The Tower of David and part of the Old City walls Photo credit: Dudi Vaaknin

While the Islamic State group razes ancient heritage sites unchecked, UNESCO has chosen to criticize Israel for the proximity of the Jerusalem light rail system to the walls of the Old City. 

The United Nations cultural body decided on Tuesday that Israel was causing damage to the Old City and its walls. In a discussion on the matter, the organization ruled that the Israeli government should be condemned for "harming" the Temple Mount and its environs and for carrying out "illegal excavations" in the City of David. 

UNESCO has also taken a stance against plans to develop the Western Wall plaza and the City of David, which the Cabinet approved on Jerusalem Day this year. 

The UNESCO decision was notable for its criticism of "the damaging effect of the Jerusalem light rail at few meters from the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem as well as the construction of the so called 'City of David National Park' ... which severely [affects] the visual integrity and the authentic character of the site." 

The walls of the Old City are currently a World Heritage site, which according to UNESCO, belongs to Jordan. 

Foreign Ministry Director General Dore Gold responded harshly to the group's decision, saying, "UNESCO adopted a completely one-sided decision that deliberately ignores the historical connection between the Jewish people and their ancient capital.

"The decision does not even acknowledge Christianity's ties to Jerusalem and defines the Temple Mount as a 'Muslim holy place' only. As the historical heritage sites of this area are being systematically destroyed by jihadist forces, such as the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, UNESCO's adoption of utterly false allegations about Israeli archaeological practices is misplaced and hypocritical. ... The resolution is full of distortions and is totally disconnected from reality on the ground."

Shlomo Cesana, AP, and Israel Hayom Staff

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=26735

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