UNESCO sharply criticises Israeli actions in Jerusalem

PARIS, May 2 (KUNA) -- UNESCO has adopted another resolution highly critical of Israel's behaviour in Jerusalem, particularly the ongoing excavations in the Old City, and the building of settler facilities and separation wall that prevents access by Palestinians to Jerusalem.
It is the third such motion passed by UNESCO to criticise Israel's actions in Jerusalem since last October.
The resolution, sponsored by Algeria, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar and Sudan, was backed by 22 members of UNESCO's executive body while 10 members voted against and 20 others abstained, the UN agency said in a statement Tuesday.
The resolution says its aims include the "safeguarding of the cultural heritage of Palestine and the distinctive character of East Jerusalem" and it "reaffirms the importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls for the three monotheistic religions." UNESCO said that Israel was "an occupying power" in Jerusalem and that as such it has all administrative and legislative powers there.
But the UN body stressed that any measures taken by the "Occupying Power" in this context "are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith" if they have altered the character or status of the Holy City.
The UNESCO resolution said it "regrets the failure of the Israeli occupying authorities to cease the persistent excavations, tunnelling, works and projects in East Jerusalem, particularly in and around the Old City of Jerusalem." It was further noted that these activities "are illegal under international law." The resolution calls on Israel to "prohibit all violations which are not in conformity with the provisions of the relevant UNESCO conventions, resolutions and decisions." The Paris-based body also regretted "the Israeli refusal to implement the UNESCO request to the Director-General to appoint a permanent representative to be stationed in East Jerusalem to report on a regular basis about all aspects covering the fields of competence of UNESCO." The UN body urged that an envoy be allowed to be present in Jerusalem to monitor Israeli activities there and this without delay.
In a second dimension, the UNESCO resolution also "deplored the military confrontations in and around the Gaza Strip" and lamented the civilian casualties in Gaza.
There is a "continuous negative impact" for UNESCO programmes caused by Israeli "attacks on schools and other educational and cultural facilities," UNESCO said.
The resolution also "deplored" the ongoing closure of the Gaza Strip, which "harmfully affects the free and sustained movement of personnel, students and humanitarian relief items." Israel was called upon "to immediately ease this closure" of Gaza and also to recognise that Hebron and Bethlehem are integral parts of "Occupied Palestinian Territory" and to desist from works and modifications in those sites, according to the resolution. (end) jk.gb