The United States and Israel announced on Thursday they were quitting the UN’s cultural agency Unesco after Washington accused it of anti-Israeli bias. Unesco is best known for designating World Heritage Sites such as the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria and the Grand Canyon National Park. Hours later, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would quit too, calling the US decision “brave and moral”. US and Israel were among just 14 of 194 members that voted against admitting the Palestinians. In recent years, Israel has repeatedly complained about what it says is the body taking sides in disputes over cultural heritage sites in Jerusalem and the Palestinian territories.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 13, 2017 02:48 UTC