In a statement UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said she had been officially notified on Friday that Israel would leave on December 31, 2018. Their pullout followed two Arab-sponsored resolutions adopted by Paris-based UNESCO this year which were critical of Israel. Another declared the Old City of Hebron in the occupied West Bank a Palestinian World Heritage site. The 195-member body is best known for producing a list of World Heritage sites that have become tourist favourites. UNESCO also runs science, educational and cultural programmes, including programmes to educate people about the Holocaust and promote intercultural dialogue.

Source: Punch December 29, 2017 18:22 UTC