Israel: UNESCO Designation of Western Wall As an Islamic Holy Site Would 'Distort History'
(CNSNews.com) – The U.N.’s cultural agency’s executive board is reportedly due to vote Tuesday on a measure declaring the Western or Wailing Wall in Jerusalem to be part of an Islamic holy site, a move which Israel called an attempt to “distort history.”
The development comes two days after Secretary of State John Kerry lobbied for re-election to the board of the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), saying during a visit to its Paris headquarters that “our commitment to this organization has never been stronger.”
Israel’s foreign ministry said Monday it was working with senior UNESCO officials and with “friendly countries” on the 58-member board in a bid to defeat “this underhanded maneuver.”
A spokesman said that a measure “purporting to present the Wailing Wall as if it were a Muslim holy site” distorted reality and falsified historical fact.
“This is a clear endeavor to distort history, in order to erase the connection between the Jewish people and its holiest site, and to create a false reality.”
The vote at UNESCO comes at a sensitive time: A wave of Palestinian terror attacks has occurred this month amid claims that Israel is trying to undermine Muslim rights in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City.
The flashpoint is the Temple Mount, where the biblical Temples once stood. It is the holiest site in Judaism, but also is home to the Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest.
Due to Muslim opposition Jews are forbidden to hold formal prayer at the Muslim-administered site, although they may visit. That “status quo” has been in place since Israel captured the area from Jordan in 1967. Jews pray instead at the Western Wall – the remnant of a retaining wall on the western flank of the hilltop that once housed the biblical Temples.
The UNESCO measure due to be voted on on Tuesday reportedly [1] declares that the Western Wall is part of Al-Aqsa mosque.
‘Incendiary’
Criticizing the UNESCO resolution – proposed on behalf of the Palestinians by six Arab members of the executive board – the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called it “a cynical and incendiary manipulation to exacerbate and perpetuate already heightened religious and political tensions in Jerusalem.”
“We call on the members of UNESCO’s executive board to exercise responsible leadership and reject this resolution, particularly at this time when Israeli civilians are being attacked on the streets by young Muslims who have been inspired and incited by blatant misinformation about Israeli policies towards holy sites,” ADL chief executive officer Jonathan Greenblatt said in a statement.
“UNESCO must not be turned into a battleground for conflicts between religions,” said World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder, also urging board members to reject the resolution.
“[D]eclaring the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest place, a Muslim site would be a travesty,” he said. “Instead of fostering peace, it would only encourage extremists to step up their campaign against Jews, both in Israel and beyond.”
Last summer, UNESCO’s world heritage committee adopted a controversial resolution that referred to the area adjacent to the Western Wall as the “Buraq plaza.” [2]
The name derives from the Muslim claim that Mohammed tethered his legendary winged steed, al-Buraq, there during his “night journey [3]” from Mecca to heaven.
(There is no historical record of Mohammed ever having visited Jerusalem, but the Qur’an says that he traveled in one night from “the sacred mosque” in Arabia to “the farthest mosque.” There, according to Islamic tradition, he led prayers with a congregation including Adam, Noah and Joseph, before ascending to heaven. Muslim scholars say that occurred in Jerusalem; Masjid al-Aqsa is Arabic for “the farthest mosque.”)
Arab religious leaders, disputing Jewish religious or historical claims to the entire site, have issued fatwas [4] declaring “Al-Buraq Wall” to be part of Al-Aqsa mosque.
Kerry appeals
UNESCO is the U.N. agency which in 2011 became the first to admit “Palestine,” and as a result lost U.S. funding. The Obama administration has been trying since then to secure a congressional waiver to enable it to restore the payments [5] – which accounted for more than one-fifth of UNESCO’s operating budget.
After failing to pay its dues the U.S. lost its voting rights in UNESCO’s general conference, but remains a member of the executive board, and is now standing for re-election to that body.
During his visit to UNESCO in Paris on Sunday, Kerry appealed for support for the U.S. candidacy, and pledged to work with Congress to restore the funding.
“The United States has a great deal to contribute to UNESCO’s work, and I assure you – our commitment to this organization has never been stronger,” the French news agency AFP quoted him as saying.
“I know some of you have concerns – particularly related to our funding limitations – but it's important to note that even with these restrictions in place, the U.S. plays a critical role in advancing UNESCO’s objectives.”
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova likened the funding issue to a spat within a family, saying the agency needs the United States, and expressing optimism that with Kerry’s support the problem could be resolved.
In a speech Kerry highlighted some of the work UNESCO does which has strong U.S. support, including the use of education to counter radicalization, and efforts to ensure the safety of journalists.
The executive board election takes place on November 11, during a session of UNESCO’s full general conference which votes by secret ballot. In the Western group, the U.S. is one of seven countries vying for six seats.
In other groups, candidates include Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen.
Source URL:
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/patrick-goodenough/unesco-may-designate-jerusalems-western-wall-islamic-holy-site 
