Israel has filed a notice to withdraw from the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) along with the United States.
Which country has withdrawn from the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) along with the United States?
- UNESCO has always criticized Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem. It also decided grant full membership to Palestine in 2011 which was criticized by Israel.
- Israel had been a member of UNESCO since 1949 and had a rightful place insid the agency.
- Both Israel and the United States had filed their notices in October 2017 noting that they would like to establish a permanent observer mission to UNESCO instead.
- They would officially cease membership as of 31st December 2018.
- UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay mentioned that she deeply regretted Israel’s decision to withdraw from UNESCO.
- Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel will pull out of UNESCO on the grounds that the body has become a “threat of absurd”.
What are the ongoing disagreements?
- In May 2017, UNESCO resolution on Jerusalem strongly criticized Israel occupation of East Jerusalem.
- In July, UNESCO declared the Old city of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank to be an endangered World Heritage site.
- It prompted Mr Netanyahu to announce a funding cut of $1 million to the United Nations as they felt that UNESCO vote ignored Jewish ties to the site.
- Such disagreements were being faced inside UNESCO which made Israel withdraw from the organization.
a. Ayoub Azoulay
b. Augustin Azoulay
c. Adam Azoulay
d. Audrey Azoulay
a. Egypt
b. Israel
c. Slovakia
d. Iran
