A series of controversial proposals being weighed by the United Nation’s Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have been shelved yet again, following the terror attack in southern France and attempted coup in Turkey over the weekend. The current UNESCO session, which was meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, was ended early following disruptions caused by the abortive coup d’etat attempt Friday night and Saturday, and the subsequent crackdown. The UN body was scheduled to discuss a number of proposals relating to Jerusalem and the status of the Temple Mount. Israeli diplomats have worked feverishly to prevent the passage of the resolutions, which Israeli Foreign Minister Director-General Dore Gold has said “will offend members of the Jewish and Christian faiths”. One such proposal would recognize the Temple Mount as a “Muslim site”, ignoring any and all Jewish connections to the holiest site in Judaism. In an open letter, Gold blasted the proposal , saying it "deliberately ignores the historical connection between the Jewish people and their ancient capital". On Friday the European Union added its own proposed resolution, striking a similar tone as the draft offered by Jordan. Speaking to Arutz Sheva , Israeli Foreign Ministry officials expressed concern at the new EU proposal. “This is an alternative proposal to the Palestinian draft. This proposal continues to deny the Jewish connection to the Temple Mount, despite the apologies by France and acknowledgement that they were mistaken in April when they supported a UNESCO executive committee decision which described the Temple Mount simply as a Muslim holy site.” “We’re in the midst of a complex diplomatic process to convince [UNESCO members] and at this stage we’re very concerned by this very negative European proposal.”
