Netanyahu says UNESCO vote on Jerusalem ‘absurd’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticizes the “absurd” UNESCO resolution that rejects the Jewish state’s sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem and vows to continue diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing support for UN measures critical of Israel.

“Over the last two days I’ve had numerous conversations with various heads of state and foreign ministers about the absurd vote at the UN,” Netanyahu says at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem. “The result is that a number of countries that support this absurd proposal is shrinking,” he says. “A year ago it was 32, six months ago it dropped to 26, and now its down to 22 countries.”

“I still want to make a systematic and consistent effort to reduce this even further, because these kinds of votes have no place at the UN,” Netanyahu says.

“Today there are more countries that support Israel or abstain [from voting against it] than countries that oppose Israel,” he adds. “Its a change, for the first time.”