Israel Drops Ties With UNESCO After New Jerusalem Holy Sites Resolution

Palestinians pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan
Palestinians pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in June 2016 in Jerusalem's Old City. UNESCO's executive board approved a resolution on Oct. 18, 2016 that minimizes Jewish ties to holy sites in Jerusalem. Mahmoud Illean / Associated Press
Palestinians pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan
Palestinians pray in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in June 2016 in Jerusalem's Old City. UNESCO's executive board approved a resolution on Oct. 18, 2016 that minimizes Jewish ties to holy sites in Jerusalem. Mahmoud Illean / Associated Press

Israel Drops Ties With UNESCO After New Jerusalem Holy Sites Resolution

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UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, adopted a resolution Tuesday that Israel says ignores Jewish ties to holy sites within Jerusalem. 

The resolution criticizes Israel for restricting Muslim access to the site. It also refers to the holy area of Temple Mount by its Muslim name, Haram al-Sharif.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the decision “absurd” and cut ties to UNESCO. 

Worldview speaks with anthropologist Michael A. Di Giovine about the process of drafting the resolution and the implications it will have. Di Giovine is the author of The Heritage-scape: UNESCO, World Heritage and Tourism. He’s also a member of the International Committee on Cultural Tourism at the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), UNESCO’s historic preservation advisory body.