Israel’s reaction to UNESCO: we look at it with disgust

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a written statement on the adoption of the draft resolution on the powers of UNESCO in the field of the effects and consequences of the current situation in Palestine and Gaza at the 42nd General Conference of UNESCO.

The statement, which stated that UNESCO’s decision on the situation in Gaza was unilateral, noted that Israel “rejected this decision with disgust.”

ACCUSATION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ‘SERVING THOSE WHO SUPPORT TERROR’

The statement stated that UNESCO was “at the service of extremist governments and supporters of terrorism” and “collaborated in the distortion of basic facts and the denial of massacres.”

The statement, which also reacted to the moment of silence for civilians killed in Gaza during the UNESCO session, used the following statements:

“Unesco, which only observes a minute of silence in memory of the Palestinian victims, is an inherently morally weak organization that should be ashamed of itself and its controversies.”

The ministry thanked countries that support Israel and the United States for the suggested changes.

ABOUT THE PROJECT ACCEPTED AT UNESCO

At the 42nd General Conference of UNESCO, the draft resolution, co-presented by Turkey, calling for an immediate end to attacks on civilians in Gaza, was accepted by 96 votes to 8.

The Resolution on Gaza and Palestine, which was adopted in a vote in which 33 countries abstained, called for an immediate end to attacks against civilians, especially children, women, youth, teachers and education workers. , and not attack schools and universities. and not cause further damage to cultural heritage.

The resolution condemned the continued killings of journalists and attacks on press centers and media organizations in Gaza, and expressed concern about the blockade of access to water, energy and humanitarian aid.

The decision called on UNESCO leadership to prepare and implement an urgent emergency aid program to Gaza, and called on relevant partners within UNESCO’s jurisdiction to mobilize for this purpose.

The Permanent Representative of Turkey to UNESCO, Ambassador Gülnur Aybet, in her speech on the decision noted that the civilian population in Gaza continues to suffer due to Israel’s random attacks and recalled that more than 10 thousand people, mostly women and children, died.

Aybet noted that an average of 6 children die per hour in these attacks and stated that health professionals in the region named the disaster “Injured Children Surviving Family” (WCNSF).

Underlining that a crime against humanity has been committed, Aybet said: “We need an immediate ceasefire to stop the suffering of millions of people and an unhindered flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza must be provided.” saying.

Aybet said: “In this context, we welcome the adoption of the latest resolution with great support at the special session of the UN General Assembly. “We hope that the resolution’s calls, especially the ceasefire, will be implemented as soon as possible.” He said a permanent solution in the region would be possible through the realization of an independent, sovereign and geographically integrated State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Emphasizing that policies based on universal values, international law and humanitarian principles cannot be limited to certain regions of the world, Aybet noted that they must be implemented everywhere, including the Middle East.

Affirming that Israel’s attacks also harm issues that remain under UNESCO’s jurisdiction, Aybet said: “Although schools are attacked almost every day, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Palestinian children to access education. The bombings also led to the deaths of dozens of journalists and the destruction of Palestine’s cultural heritage. “UNESCO has a lot to offer in its area of ​​expertise to monitor and mitigate the current situation, as in other conflict areas.” saying.

Meanwhile, the countries that said “no” to the decision in the vote were the United States, Germany, Italy, Paraguay, Czechia, Croatia, Guatemala and Austria.

The proposed amendments presented by the US to the draft resolution were rejected by 59 votes to 35, while 39 countries abstained. (AA)