B’nai Brith slams UNESCO affiliation with Gaza University

Jewish organization B’nai Brith on Thursday slammed the decision to establish a UNESCO chair of Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Sciences at the Islamic University of Gaza, which is closely linked with Hamas.

“To so strongly associate an organization meant to promote peaceful goals with a terrorist organization is yet another contributor to the world body’s tarnished reputation in the international community,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said.

“Establishing this special UNESCO scientific chair in effect legitimates an anti-Semitic institution so closely associated with a terrorist organization. This decision flies in the face of rational thought, and once again gravely politicizes an agency that should be dealing with education, science and culture,” added B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin.

According to a statement released by B’nai Brith, the Hamas-controlled university “promulgates anti-Semitic, racist, anti-Israel ideologies” and is believed to have served as a storage facility for weapons used against Israel.