Israel on Monday called off a planned visit by a delegation from UNESCO, the United Nation’s cultural organization, to inspect preservation work in Jerusalem’s Old City, saying that the Palestinians had “politicized” the delegation.
UNESCO – Photo: Charles Platiau/Reuters
“The delegation as a delegation has been postponed,” a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
“The Palestinians violated all the agreements we had with UNESCO: that this was to be a purely professional, not a political visit,” he said. The official said the Palestinians asked to introduce a “slew” of political elements into the visit, with PA Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki characterizing it as a fact-finding commission to investigate Israeli steps in Jerusalem.
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