LOC21:18
18:18 GMT
PARIS, Oct 18 (KUNA) -- UNESCO approved a draft resolution Tuesday affirming Palestinian right of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem city, and condemning Israeli radical right wing members of continuous violations of the Mosque, and denying Palestinians entry.
UNESCO said the resolution was presented by its executive board members: Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Sudan, and Occupied Palestine, and aims at protecting Palestinian heritage in the occupied eastern Jerusalem city and affirming on Jerusalem as a city that belong to all religions.
The organization noted that 24 countries voted for the resolution, and six countries were against it. The US, UK, Germany, Holland, Lithuania, and Estonia voted against it, while 26 countries abstained.
The resolution also condemns escalation, violence, and illegal measures taken by the Israelis in Al-Aqsa Mosque, including constant harassment of Israeli radicals with police to Palestinian worshipers and disallowing them from entering the mosque.
The resolution comes amid wide Israeli anger due to the wording of the holy mosque "Al-Aqsa Mosque," instead of Temple Mounte, sacred to Jews.
The Israeli occupation authorities' concerns have mounted since UNESCO states admitted Palestine as a member in 2011, and since last April when UNESCO also came under fire for adopting a resolution condemning repeated aggression and violations, and illegal measures by Israel to worshipers and disallowing Muslims from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque. (end)
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