The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), has condemned the vote by the UNESCO Executive Board that re-names the Temple Mount as al-Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and refers to the Western Wall (known in Hebrew as the Kotel) as “the Burka plaza’. The resolution, passed with 33 votes in favour, also places the Western Wall in quotes as ‘occupied’ by Israel. The resolution also rebukes Israel for “excavations and works” in East Jerusalem, calls on it to stop “aggressions and illegal measures against the freedom of worship and Muslims’ access” to their holy site, and accuses Israel of “planting fake Jewish graves in Muslim cemeteries.” ’ France, Spain, Slovenia, Sweden, Russia and Slovenia were among those that supported the resolution, Estonia, Germany, Lithuania, Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the US voted against.
Dr Dvir Abramovich, Chair of The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC), issued the following statement:
“UNESCO’s Executive Board should be ashamed for this outrageous and cynical resolution that embraces a false narrative which denies two thousand years of Jewish history and Israel’s irrefutable connection to these holy places. Such partisan moves do nothing to aid the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians, and instead will only increase tensions in Jerusalem where Israeli civilians have been subjected to terrorist attacks by individuals who have been fed lies and incitement about Israeli plans for Muslim sites. We remind UNESC that Israel has always acknowledged the historical connection between Islam and Muslim holy sites in Israel and has ensured that freedom of worship is protected. Of course, this is not the first time UNESCO has erased Jewish history, doing so in relation to Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem and to the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron. We call on all governments to vigorously denounce this immoral and dangerous assault on Jewish history and Judaism.”
The Anti-Defamation Commission, founded in 1979, is Australia’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through educational programs that combat bigotry, prejudice and all forms of hatred.
For further information please contact Dr Dvir Abramovich on (03) 9272 5677
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