Senators call on USA to sever ties with UNESCO

From Israel Hayom, 28 Oct 2016, by Yoni Hersch, Erez Linn and Israel Hayom Staff:

Senators make written appeal after U.N. cultural organization passes second resolution denying Jewish ties to Jerusalem 

"It is imperative that the U.S. stands with Israel, our closest ally and the sole democracy in the region," they say.

A group of Republican senators sent a letter to President Barack Obama Wednesday in which they called for the U.S. to suspend ties with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Senators Marco Rubio, Johnny Isakson, Mark Kirk and David Perdue made the appeal after UNESCO passed a second resolution denying a Jewish link to Jerusalem.

"At a time when the Middle East is in turmoil and historical heritage sites are being destroyed by groups such as Islamic State, it is imperative that the U.S. stands with Israel, our closest ally and the sole democracy in the region," they wrote.
"Recent UNESCO resolutions that deny Jewish and Christian ties to holy sites in Jerusalem not only reinforce the necessity of withholding American funding from this counterproductive U.N. organization, but also call into question future U.S. membership in UNESCO.
"Given that U.S. law already forbids American taxpayer money going to UNESCO, we urge your administration to join Israel in suspending ties to UNESCO.
"In 1984, the U.S. severed ties with UNESCO due to disparities between American foreign policy goals and UNESCO's agenda. Because UNESCO continues to deviate from its founding mission and adopt one-sided, anti-Israel resolutions, it is time for the U.S. to stand with Israel and suspend our ties with UNESCO," the senators wrote.

Meanwhile, in Paris, the local Jewish community protested France's decision to abstain from the first vote on Jerusalem, held on Oct. 13.