Israel ‘concerned’ over EU revision to UNESCO Jerusalem proposal

A European revision to a controversial resolution by the UN’s cultural body on the Old City of Jerusalem is infuriating Israel, which says it still challenges Jewish historical ties to its holiest site.

A statement from the foreign ministry in Jerusalem expresses “concern’ over the EU revision to the UNESCO resolution, which it says “nullifies the bond and relationship of the Jewish people to the Temple Mount.”

The move comes days after a joint Palestinian-Jordanian resolution was shelved after failing to gain enough support. That proposal urged a return of the Temple Mount and the Al-Aqsa Mosque to what it called “the historic status quo” following the 1967 Six Day War, under which the Jordanian Waqf religious authority had the right to administer all aspects of the sites “including maintenance, restoration, and regulating access.”

“The EU proposal still denies the connection of the Jewish people to the Temple Mount,” the statement reads.

The text of the proposal has not yet been released by the EU.

Noting that Israel is amid a diplomatic blitz to quash the resolution, the Foreign Ministry singles out EU member France, which expressed remorse over its yes vote on another UNESCO resolution that challenged Jewish ties to Jerusalem.

“Nothing is finished yet,” the statement reads.