The following email about UNESCO's latest disgraceful anti-Israel resolution was sent to the following people: mp.roudil@unesco.org, i.bokova@unesco.org, USUNPolFax@state.gov, themission@angolaun.org, enaun@mrecic.gov.ar, new-york-ov@bmeia.gv.at, bangladesh@un.int, bdpmny@gmail.com, fsnypmbd@mofa.gov.bd, z.aynuzzaman@gmail.com, blzun@belizemission.com, blzun@aol.com, Distri.delbrasonu@itamaraty.gov.br, chinesemission@yahoo.com, cuba_onu@cubanmission.com, un.newyork@embassy.mzv.cz, drun@un.int, ecuador@un.int, elsalvador@un.int, mission.newyork@mfa.ee, ethiopia@un.int, france@franceonu.org, info@gabonmission.com, gambia_un@hotmail.com, info@new-york-un.diplo.de, india@un.int, info.italyun@esteri.it, archives.italyun@esteri.it, p-m-j@dn.mofa.go.jp, MalawiNewyork@aol.com, MalawiU@aol.com, mauritius@un.int, onuusr1@sre.gob.mx, UN.NewYork@mfa.gov.me, mozambique@un.int, namibia@un.int, nepal@un.int, nepalmissionusa@gmail.com, nyv@minbuza.nl, permny@nigeriaunmission.org, pngun@pngmission.org, press@russiaun.ru, sknmission@aol.com, Rep.nuevayorkonu@maec.es, sweden@un.int, thailand@un.int, newyork@mfa.gov.mk, togo@un.int, togo.mission@yahoo.fr, tto@un.int, turkmenistan@un.int, ugandaunny@un.int, uno_us@mfa.gov.ua, uk@un.int.
CAMERA's analysis of UNESCO's resolution may be found at http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=7&x_issue=4&x_article=3318.
Sent to the above list of people:
I find UNESCO's recent resolution on what it refers to as "al-Aksa
Mosque/al-Haram al Sharif" is a disgraceful totally in conflict
with the values for which UNESCO is supposed to stand as well as
the basic values under which the United Nations was founded. It
also blatantly conflicts with the words of your director-general:
In its resolution, UNESCO completely ignores the connection of what was Har Habayit (the Temple Mount) for millennia before the Al Aksa Mosque was built over the ruins of The Temple. While Jerusalem has importance for Christians and Muslims, its importance to them pales compared to its centrality for the Jewish people.
Despite this, since Jerusalem was reunited in 1967 after Jordan attacked Israel, Israel has, perhaps foolishly, allowed Muslims to administer Judaism's holiest site. During this period, the Muslim Wakf has destroyed countless irreplaceable historical artifacts, while the leader of the Palestinian Authority has insisted he will not allow Jews to "defile" Judaism's holiest place with what he calls their "filthy feet." This irresponsible behavior should be condemned by UNESCO.
There is one positive element I found in UNESCO's resolution, the call for the status quo in effect prior to 2000 to be restored, although that request does not go far enough. Since the Arab terror offensive launched in 2000 after Yasser Arafat rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state, access to the Temple Mount has been severely restricted for Christians, Jews and other non-Muslims. There should be free, equal access for all peoples.
Besides UNESCO's resolution being a disgraceful capitulation to religious and ethnic hatred, it also sends a dangerous message at a time when the civilized world is being attacked by brutal terrorists who actually kill more of their fellow Muslims than anyone else. The current wave of Palestinian terrorism, which your resolution falsely refers to as a "cycle of violence," was instigated by inflammatory lies from leaders of the Palestinian Arabs, including Mahmoud Abbas. The UNESCO resolution effectively rewards both the liars and the terrorists.
One reason terrorism is such a problem today is that for many years the world, including the United Nations and UNESCO, have rewarded Palestinian terrorism, sending the message to all that terrorism pays. Your resolution continues that destructive tradition. Many innocent people have paid with their lives for those actions in the past and many more will certainly pay with their lives in the future.
For the good of the world, for truth, for the faceless but innocent people who otherwise will pay with their lives, the UNESCO resolution must be repealed and replaced by an honest and fair resolution which recognizes the history of Har Habayit and its place in the hearts of the Jewish people and the core of the Jewish religion.
"Jerusalem is a Holy Land of the three monotheistic religions, a place of dialogue for all Jewish, Christian and Muslim people, nothing should be undertaken to alter its integrity and authenticity. It is a mosaic of cultures and peoples, whose history has shaped the history of all humanity. Only respect and dialogue can build the trust we need to move forward -- this is the strength of UNESCO, for the benefit of all."
In its resolution, UNESCO completely ignores the connection of what was Har Habayit (the Temple Mount) for millennia before the Al Aksa Mosque was built over the ruins of The Temple. While Jerusalem has importance for Christians and Muslims, its importance to them pales compared to its centrality for the Jewish people.
Despite this, since Jerusalem was reunited in 1967 after Jordan attacked Israel, Israel has, perhaps foolishly, allowed Muslims to administer Judaism's holiest site. During this period, the Muslim Wakf has destroyed countless irreplaceable historical artifacts, while the leader of the Palestinian Authority has insisted he will not allow Jews to "defile" Judaism's holiest place with what he calls their "filthy feet." This irresponsible behavior should be condemned by UNESCO.
There is one positive element I found in UNESCO's resolution, the call for the status quo in effect prior to 2000 to be restored, although that request does not go far enough. Since the Arab terror offensive launched in 2000 after Yasser Arafat rejected the establishment of a Palestinian state, access to the Temple Mount has been severely restricted for Christians, Jews and other non-Muslims. There should be free, equal access for all peoples.
Besides UNESCO's resolution being a disgraceful capitulation to religious and ethnic hatred, it also sends a dangerous message at a time when the civilized world is being attacked by brutal terrorists who actually kill more of their fellow Muslims than anyone else. The current wave of Palestinian terrorism, which your resolution falsely refers to as a "cycle of violence," was instigated by inflammatory lies from leaders of the Palestinian Arabs, including Mahmoud Abbas. The UNESCO resolution effectively rewards both the liars and the terrorists.
One reason terrorism is such a problem today is that for many years the world, including the United Nations and UNESCO, have rewarded Palestinian terrorism, sending the message to all that terrorism pays. Your resolution continues that destructive tradition. Many innocent people have paid with their lives for those actions in the past and many more will certainly pay with their lives in the future.
For the good of the world, for truth, for the faceless but innocent people who otherwise will pay with their lives, the UNESCO resolution must be repealed and replaced by an honest and fair resolution which recognizes the history of Har Habayit and its place in the hearts of the Jewish people and the core of the Jewish religion.
Shalom - Salaam - Peace,
Alan H. Stein אלן שטיין
Alan H. Stein אלן שטיין
