The executive board of Unesco, the United Nations culture and education agency, has voted in favour of a resolution criticising Israel for actions that have “altered or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem”.
Twenty-two countries voted for the resolution - which has no legal impact on the situation on the ground - and 10, including Britain and the United States, voted against. Twenty-three countries abstained.
Intense diplomatic pressure reduced the numbers of countries voting for the resolution, even though the Arab countries that submitted it had agreed to alter previous versions that failed to mention the Jewish connection to Jerusalem. This resolution made explicit “the importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls for the three monotheistic religions”.
Although Israeli diplomats criticised the resolution, they were satisfied that despite its relatively soft tone the number of countries voting in favour was much smaller than in the past.
