UNESCO
News and updates about UNESCO

Netanyahu to UN: Can You Handle the Truth?
Prime Minister responds to UNESCO decision to postpone exhibition on Jewish history in Israel because facts 'might endanger peace process'.

U.S. Criticizes UNESCO for Postponing Jewish Exhibition
"UNESCO's decision is wrong," says Ambassador Power after UN body cancels Jewish exhibition because of Arab pressure.

UNESCO Cancels Jewish Exhibit Following Arab Pressure
The United Nations’ cultural body cancels Jewish exhibit, citing "concerns for Israel-PA peace talks."

U.S. and Israel Lose Voting Rights in UNESCO
The U.S. and Israel lost their voting rights at UNESCO because they suspended funding to the organization after it admitted “Palestine”.

Thousands at Rachel's Tomb for Anniversary of Matriarch's Death
Jews by the thousands pray at Rachel's Tomb.

PA Slams Israel for Calling Off Politicized UNESCO Mission
The PA's foreign ministry slams Israel for calling off a UNESCO investigative mission to Jerusalem, after the PA tried to politicize it.

Govt: UNESCO Lied, So Planned Jerusalem Visit Canceled
The government on Monday informed UNESCO that a delegation that planned to visit Jerusalem was not welcome

Israel Bows to Openly Anti-Semitic UNESCO

Hamas Slams PA for Postponing Anti-Israel Resolutions
Hamas condemns compromise which says the PA will postpone anti-Israel resolutions in exchange for a UN "investigation" in Jerusalem.

ADL Applauds UNESCO Compromise Avoiding Anti-Israel Resolutions
ADL expresses hope that UNESCO agreement will end PA "efforts to politicize international bodies."

Jordan: Israel Agreed to Allow UN to 'Investigate' in Old City
Jordan says that Israel has agreed to allow UNESCO to "investigate and assess" heritage conservation in Jerusalem's Old City.

Hamas Bulldozes Heritage Site For Use As Terror Training Camp
Hamas bulldozes of a 3000-year-old Gaza harbor for use as a terrorist training camp.

PA Moves Ahead with Plans to Register Sites with UNESCO
PA forms a committee to prepare applications to register sites on UNESCO's world heritage list, including the Dead Sea.

Israeli Woman Dies in Peru
A young Israeli woman has died in Cusco, Peru in a rafting accident.

UNESCO to Establish Chair at Islamic University of Gaza
Israel expresses "consternation" at news that UNESCO is establishing a chair at Gaza's Islamic University.

PA to Seek UNESCO Recognition for More Sites
Following its success with the Church of the Nativity, PA will seek to have additional religious sites recognized by UNESCO.

Church of Nativity Decision Blasted as 'Politically Perverted'
The ADL has called the UNESCO decision to put the Nativity on the list of endangered World Heritage Sites 'politically perverted.'

US Charges UNESCO with ‘Hotwiring PA Heritage Site’
US charged UNESCO with “hotwiring” the process that termed the Church of Nativity a PA heritage site. Is the Temple Mount next?

Roman Catholic Church Welcomes UNESCO Decision on Bethlehem
Roman Catholic Church says the granting of world heritage status to the Church of the Nativity is a "diplomatic victory" for PA.

UNESCO Approves PA ‘Emergency’ Bid for Church of Nativity
UNESCO approves the PA's bid to place the Church of the Nativity on its list of sites of World Heritage in Danger.

UNESCO Convenes, PA to Gain Recognition as Country?
UNESCO opens a regular session Sunday to consider 31 new sites for its World Heritage List – including the Church of the Nativity.

UN-Backed PA NGO to Children: Replace Cigarettes with Guns
PA-based NGO supported by UN branches puts on a puppet show, tells kids to see Jews as “enemies” who kill Arab youth.

UNESCO to Consider 'Palestinian' Site for World Heritage List
UNESCO, which has accepted 'Palestine' as a member, to consider Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity for inclusion on its world heritage list.

UNESCO Condemns Syria But Won't Kick it Out
UNESCO condemns Syria for its brutal crackdown on protesters but stops short of dismissing it from its human rights committee.

UNESCO: Rachel’s Tomb Also Belongs to Christians
UNESCO claims Rachel’s Tomb and the Patriarchs’ Cave are not exclusively Jewish sites and also belong to Christians and Muslims.

US Condemns PA 'Doublespeak'
The United States has condemned Palestinian Authority "doublespeak" and bluntly called on UNESCO to ensure no funds reach the entity.

UNESCO Stops Funding PA-Hitlerism
UNESCO halts funding of a magazine promoting Hitler as a role model for the PA after it was exposed by PMW and Arutz Sheva.

How UNESCO Funds 'Hitlerism'
The UN is financing promotion of Hitlerism in the Arab world.

Israel Says PA Flag-Waving at UNESCO Based on Science Fiction
Sarkozy stands with Abbas in a PA flag-raising ceremony at UNESCO in Paris, an act Israel says is based on science fiction.

UNESCO Fuels Conflict, Will Fly PLO Flag
UNESCO has announced its intention to fly the PLO flag over its headquarters next week.
UNESCO Accepts Syria for Human Rights Committees
UNESCO's executive board has unanimously approved Syria's membership on two human rights committees.
Ban Tells Netanyahu: Resume Transfer of Taxes to PA
UN Secretary-General asks Prime Minister Netanyahu to resume the transfer of taxes Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.

UNESCO Should Read Its Own Constitution

UNESCO Suspends New Programs Due to Budget Hole
UNESCO announces it will suspend new programs due to a $65 million budget hole caused by its acceptance of the PA.
Fatah: Israel’s Tax Freeze “Declaration of War’
Israel has declared war on the Palestinian Authority by freezing tax revenues after the PA joined UNESCO, a Fatah official charges.

PA Threatens 'Significant Steps' Over Israeli Sanctions
PA Spokesman: We're considering taking steps in response to Israel’s decision to accelerate construction and freeze taxes.

Kadima Blasts Netanyahu for Freezing UNESCO Funds
"It is time Netanyahu realizes that his actions punish his fellow Israelis more than they hurt anyone else."
Israel Freezes UNESCO Dues
UNESCO has lost another $2 million in revenue to its budget, this time from dues payable from the State of Israel.

Ban Speaks Out: Tells PA Not to Seek UN Membership
In a surprising reversal, UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon said that the PA should not seek to be recognized as a member state of the UN.

Tough Questions for U.S. State Dept. Spokeswoman
U.S. State Department Spokeswoman grilled over the cutting of funds to UNESCO and Israel's sanctions on the PA.

PA Tells UNESCO Dead Sea an Arab ’Heritage Site’
The PA uses its new UNESCO seat to claim the Dead Sea as a “heritage site” and also joins the ‘7 Wonders’ contest to claim part of the sea.
Canada Won't Raise UNESCO's Funding
Canada announces that it will not contribute additional funds to UNESCO over its decision to accept the PA as a full member.
Israel Lobby Welcomes Decision to Sanction PA
The Knesset’s Israel Lobby congratulates the government for deciding to sanction the PA. "When Israel is attacked it must react."
Kadima Attacks PA Sanctions: Israel is Isolating Itself
Kadima attacks Prime Minister Netanyahu for the decision to sanction the PA, says he is causing Israel to be isolated.

PA: Israeli Sanctions Are 'Theft'
Officials in Ramallah are outraged that Jerusalem has imposed sanctions after the PA's willful violation of the Oslo Accords.

Israel Freezes Funds to PA
Israeli officials decided to freeze money transfers to the PA after it is accepted into UNESCO, and build some houses.

PA on Steamroller to Join 16 More UN Agencies
‘WHO’ is next. Palestinian Authority officials say UNESCO is just the beginning and wants membership in 15 other UN agencies.

Canada to Reconsider its Support to UNESCO
Canada will reconsider how much support it gives to UNESCO now that it has accepted the PA as a member, Foreign Minister John Baird says.
Report: Israel May Cut Ties With UNESCO
Following the accession of the Palestinian Authority to UNESCO Israel is considering cutting ties with the body.

US Cuts Off UNESCO Funding
The US promptly made good on its threat to cut off funds to UNESCO following its vote Monday to accept the PA as a full member.
Israel: UNESCO Acceptance of PA Harms Chance for Peace
Israel says the decision of UNESCO to accept the PA as a member further harms the chances for peace in the region.

UNESCO Accepts Palestinian Authority, Risks Loss of US Funds
UNESCO accepts the PA as a member, risking the loss of 22 percent of its budget from the US. Congressmen urge cutoff of money.
UNESCO to Vote Monday on PA's Request for Membership
UNESCO will vote Monday on the PA's request to become a full member; only two-thirds majority required for approval.
Perry: US Should Reconsider Paying UN Dues
Citing the PA statehood bid at the UN as a "travesty," GOP contender Rick Perry questions US funds for world body.
Clinton: UNESCO May Endanger US Funds if it Admits PA as Member
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says UNESCO should re-think its plans to allow the PA full membership, hints at U.S. fund cut.
US Could Cut Off UNESCO Funding if PA Accepted as Member
A key member of a Congressional appropriations committee said she would move to cut off US funding to UNESCO if the PA becomes a member.
PA Aims for Full Membership in UNESCO
The Palestinian Authority plans to request full membership in the UNESCO organization as part of its statehood bid.
PA Has a New Request from the UN for Hevron and Bethlehem
The PA has a new idea to prevent Jewish growth in Hevron and Bethlehem.
Israel Suspends its Cooperation with UNESCO
Israel to stop working with UN organization after it declares Rachel’s Tomb to be a mosque.
