Rejecting UNESCO measure, Italy says UN body should not settle ‘ideological conflicts’

Italy says it will vote against the upcoming UNESCO resolution that does not recognize Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem, saying the UN cultural body is an inappropriate forum to settle “ideological conflicts.”

“I have given clear instructions to our representative in the organization to vote against the political decision on Jerusalem, which is being discussed on an Israeli holiday, Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano says according to the Ynet news site.

“Our position is very clear, UNESCO can not be a place to settle ideological conflicts where questions are raised that are unrelated to us,” he adds.

Later today, on Israel’s 69th Independence Day, UNESCO is set to pass a resolution that indicates rejection of the Jewish state’s sovereignty in any part over Jerusalem.