Unesco, the UN’s world heritage organisation, has adopted a controversial resolution that criticises Israeli actions around the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem’s Old City – with Israel claiming it deletes Jewish ties to holy sites. The final version of the resolution – which has sparked furious claims and counter-claims – passed easily on Wednesday after Israel pressed for a secret vote. Despite containing some softening of language following Israeli protests over a previous version, Israel continued to denounce the text. “Contrary to what the Israeli government claims, the resolution that was voted [on] by Unesco aims at reaffirming the importance of Jerusalem for the three monotheistic religions: Christianity, Judaism and Islam. The new draft also removed multiple references to Israel’s occupation of east Jerusalem and the Old City, although international law regards Israel as occupying east Jerusalem.

Source: The Guardian October 26, 2016 13:30 UTC