The Erasure of History
Although the Palestinian Authority is not a recognized state, it has been given "observer" status at the UN, and allowed to join UN groups such as UNESCO. Israel has protested this, and now we have an excellent example of why: UNESCO is working on a draft reolution on East Jerusalem and especially the Temple Mount, AKA al-Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary). The resolution omits any mention of the Jewish history of the site:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37653910
This is more serious than it sounds. The status of the Temple Mount is probably the single biggest sticking point an any peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. No sane Israeli government will give it up -- they remember what happened last time the site was under Muslim control, in 1949 - 1967. But the Palestinians have made it clear (if it wasn't already) that they have no intention of sharing.
And since I like to find the story behind the story, there's another problem. The draft resolution denounces the Israeli government for (among other things) carrying on archaeological work in the area. Why does the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization have an issue with conducting science?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37653910
This is more serious than it sounds. The status of the Temple Mount is probably the single biggest sticking point an any peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. No sane Israeli government will give it up -- they remember what happened last time the site was under Muslim control, in 1949 - 1967. But the Palestinians have made it clear (if it wasn't already) that they have no intention of sharing.
And since I like to find the story behind the story, there's another problem. The draft resolution denounces the Israeli government for (among other things) carrying on archaeological work in the area. Why does the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization have an issue with conducting science?