From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Israel’s UNESCO envoy spins Jerusalem vote as positive
Israel’s ambassador to UNESCO Carmel Shama-Hacohen tries to put a positive spin on UNESCO’s formal adoption of a resolution effectively denying Jewish and Christian ties to Jerusalem.
Although only Mexico sought to change its “for” vote to an abstention, Hacohen insists Israel is one step closer in its mission “to dismantle the automatic majority enjoyed by the Palestinians and Arab states.”
The ambassador also praises Brazil for expressing its reservations over the language of the resolution, even though Brasilia did not change its vote. But, says Hacohen, such reservations will make it harder to Brazil to support such motions in future.
Mexico’s changed vote means that 23 nations approved the motion today, six voted against (including the US, UK and Germany) and 25 abstained.
— Raphael Ahren
The Times of Israel Community.