Palestinians hail UNESCO’s Al-Aqsa resolution

Palestinians have welcomed the latest UNESCO resolution which rejects the use of “Temple Mount” to refer to Al-Aqsa Mosque and insists that the sanctuary is part of the Islamic heritage of Jerusalem, Anadolu reported on Monday. The UNESCO vote was carried by 33 votes to 6, with 17 abstentions.

“The decision,” said a spokesman of the Palestinian Authority, “proves that the world is not convinced by Israel’s falsification of history.” Youssef Al-Mahmoud added that the PA welcomes the resolution. He called for urgent moves to stop the “dangerous” Israeli violations in Jerusalem. “We need to accelerate the implementation of international resolutions in this regard.”

Warning of the “dangerous consequences” of the measures carried out by “extremist” settler groups under police protection, Al-Mahmoud pointed out that these include ritual slaughter and offerings, along with other rites inside Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Fatah also praised the resolution and called for all diplomatic levels to adopt the facts and use the terminology approved by UNESCO.

Meanwhile, the UN decision was described as “fair” by Hamas. “It reinforces the Palestinian, Arab and Islamic rights in the city of Jerusalem,” said a spokesman. The Islamic Resistance Movement expressed its hope that this resolution may be a platform for the prosecution of Israel in the international courts for its “crimes” against the “holy places and the violations of Palestinian rights.”