Today, in the wake of a second vote by a UNESCO commission approving a resolution identifying the Temple Mount in Jerusalem as a holy site only for Islam – thereby denying the historical facts of the site in the history and faith of Judaism (and Christianity) – Nathan Diament, executive director for public policy of the Orthodox Union issued the following statement:

“During the past two weeks, on the holy days of Yom Kippur and Sukkot, Jews around the world prayed ‘Next Year in Jerusalem.’ They did so because of the centrality of the holy city in our faith for more than 3,000 years.

UNESCO’s leadership has approved two blatantly biased resolutions that attempt to erase the specific deep-rooted, historical connection of Jews and Christians to Jerusalem, Israel’s eternal capital. The resolutions’ nefarious intent is unmistakable. They are clearly part of a global campaign to delegitimize a U.N. member nation.

We appreciate that many world leaders have expressed their rejection of this resolution, including presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.”

The Orthodox Union expresses its appreciation to those governments that voted against the first resolution; those of the United States, Great Britain, Lithuania, Germany, the Netherlands and Estonia.