Friday, October 13, 2017

Politics or culture

Unesco is a multilateral body with educational and developmental goals like promoting sex education, literacy, and equality for women. The agency is also known for designating world heritage sites such as the US Grand Canyon. Its purpose is "to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science and culture".

The United States and Israel will now withdraw their membership for alleged "anti-Israel" bias. In 2011 the US cut its funding to the agency in protest at its decision to grant full membership to the Palestinians.
And last year, Israel suspended co-operation with Unesco after the agency adopted a controversial resolution which made no reference to Jewish ties to a key holy site in Jerusalem which also criticised Israel's activities at holy places in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank. Earlier this year, Netanyahu condemned Unesco for declaring the Old City of Hebron in the West Bank a Palestinian World Heritage site.

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