Israel suspends UNESCO cooperation after Jerusalem resolutionOctober 14, 2016 - 16:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel suspended cooperation with UNESCO on Friday, October 14 after the UN cultural organisation adopted two resolutions on east Jerusalem ahead of a final vote next week, AFP reports. In a letter sent to UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, Education Minister Naftali Bennett accused the body of ignoring "thousands of years of Jewish ties to Jerusalem" and aiding "Islamist terror." "I have notified the Israel National Commission for UNESCO to suspend all professional activities with the international organisation," he said. UNESCO had no immediate comment on the Israeli move. The resolutions adopted at committee stage on Thursday refer to "Occupied Palestine" and aim to "safeguard the Palestinian cultural heritage and the distinctive character of east Jerusalem." They refer to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem's Old City -- Islam's third holiest site -- without any reference to the site also being revered by Jews as the Temple Mount. Participants said that the resolutions, which were put forward by several Arab countries including Egypt, Lebanon and Algeria, were adopted by 24 votes to six with 26 abstentions and two absentees. They are to be put to the UNESCO Executive Board on Tuesday but in general it votes in line with the decisions taken by committees. The status of Jerusalem is the thorniest issue of the decades-long Palestinian conflict. Israel captured east Jerusalem during the 1967 war and later annexed it in a move not recognised by the international community, declaring the whole city its indivisible capital. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their promised future state. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |