From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
In Paris, FM Cohen asks UNESCO chief to protect Jewish heritage sites in West Bank
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen meets UNESCO director-general Audrey Azoulay in Paris, and asks her to help protect Jewish sites in the West Bank.
“Jewish heritage sites in Judea and Samaria are being damaged and desecrated, and UNESCO, responsible for preserving heritage sites around the entire world, must act to prevent harm to sites that represent the history of the Jewish people,” says Cohen in a statement.
Cohen also asks Azoulay to cooperate in protecting Jewish sites around the world, and in fighting antisemitism.
Israel left UNESCO over its anti-Israel positions in 2019, and has yet to return. According to Israel, Azoulay, a French-Moroccan Jew, says she is working to depoliticize the body and sees Israel’s return as holding great importance.
The Times of Israel Community.