TUNIS, June 19, 2011 (WAFA) - Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), in a board meeting in Tunis Sunday, denounced Israel’s publishing false information about the city of Jerusalem on UNESCO’s website.
It said UNESCO has published false information presenting the city of Jerusalem as an Israeli heritage site, to be considered for inclusion in UNESCO’s world heritage list in June.
ALECSO board explained that such acts affect the legal status of the holy city of Jerusalem according to international legislation, and agreed that ALECSO Director General Mohamed Ben Achour would address UNESCO Director General Irina Bovoka to correct and remove the information from the website.
It also made several recommendations and decisions concerning educational, cultural and scientific issues in Jerusalem and Palestine.
Yahya Yakhluf, Head of the Palestinian Delegation to UNESCO, told WAFA that Jerusalem and its cultural and humanitarian heritage was a key point on the agenda and focused on UNESCO’s role in protecting Jerusalem as part of Islamic heritage.
ALECSO board agreed on the report which reflects the educational, scientific and cultural conditions in Palestine and called on UNESCO director general to continue efforts to protect Palestinian heritage.
It affirmed sending a letter to UNESCO to object to naming Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which opposes international laws that consider Jerusalem an occupied city.
M.H./F.J.