UNESCO Executive Board adopts resolution on Old Jerusalem

AMMAN — During its 216th session, the UNESCO Executive Board session has unanimously adopted a resolution on Old Jerusalem and its walls.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sinan Majali on Wednesday said that the resolution was the result of Jordan’s diplomatic efforts, in cooperation with Palestinians and the Arab and Islamic groups in the organisation, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

The resolution reaffirms Jordan's stance on the old town of Jerusalem and its walls, including the city’s Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The resolution also reiterates the call to consider all Israeli procedures aimed at changing the nature of the holy city and its legal status quo as “null and void”. The resolution calls on Israel to halt its illegal and unilateral procedures at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif and in the old city and its walls, the statement said. 

Majali emphasised that this resolution reaffirms previous resolutions issued by the Executive Board and the World Heritage Committee regarding Jerusalem. These resolutions expressed collective disappointment due to Israel's failure, as an occupying power, to cease excavations, tunnel construction and all unlawful activities in East Jerusalem, in line with international law.

The spokesperson highlighted that the resolution reaffirms the gains of previous resolutions, particularly the formal recognition of Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif as synonymous terms. 

The resolution also called for hastening procedures to appoint a permanent representative for the general directorate in the old town of Jerusalem to monitor all procedures under the jurisdiction of the organisation, and to send an interactive observation mission from UNESCO to Jerusalem to detect all Israeli violations.