Arab League Welcomes UNESCO Resolution on Jerusalem

Arab League welcomes UNESCO resolution which denies Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem

Cairo, 11 Shawwal 1438/6 July 2017 (MINA) – The Arab League Wednesday extolled a recent resolution by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization’s World Heritage Council, which denies Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem.

“The resolution backs the historical fact and reflects the world stance that rejects the Israeli policy, and denies Jerusalem as capital of the occupying power,” KUNA reported, citimg the League’s Assistant Secretary-General for Palestinian and Arab Affairs Said Abu Ali in a press statement.

The fresh decision capped the fruitful efforts of Palestinian diplomacy in coordination and collaboration with the Arab Group, primarily Jordan, he said, insisting that Jerusalem would remain a Palestinian, Arab and Islamic capital regardless of Israel’s daily systematic aggressions.

In this context, Abu Ali reaffirmed the Cairo-based Arab bloc’s relentless and unshakable position based on heavily backing the Palestinian cause.

The Jordanian-sponsored resolution in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization’s World Heritage Council denounced Israeli activity in the Old City of Jerusalem, and called Israel “the occupying power” in Jerusalem.

It reiterated previous UN resolutions denying Israeli claims to East Jerusalem. Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem has never been recognized by the international community.

Ten countries voted in favor of the text, which was significantly softer than previous resolutions. Only three member states: Jamaica, the Philippines and Burkina Faso opposed the resolution, while eight abstained.

The resolution slammed “the failure of the Israeli occupying authorities to cease the persistent excavations, tunneling, works, projects and other illegal practices in East Jerusalem, particularly in and around the Old City of Jerusalem, which are illegal under international law.” (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)