The United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO) last week, at a gathering in Krakow, Poland, voted to list the Ma’aras HaMachpelah in Hebron as a World Heritage Site in Danger located in the “State of Palestine”. The secret ballot was held during the UNESCO’s 41st World Heritage Committee Summit. It was as secret vote at the behest of Poland, Jamaica and Croatia. Twelve countries supported the vote, three opposed it and six abstained.

Prime Minister Netanyahu on erev Shabbos, issued the following statement about the UNESCO decision: “This is another delusional UNESCO decision.

“This time they decided that the Ma’aras HaMachpelah Patriarchs in Hebron is a Palestinian site, meaning that it is not Jewish, and that the site is in danger. Not a Jewish site?! Who is buried there? Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca and Leah – our patriarchs and matriarchs! And the site is in danger? It is only in those places where Israel is, such as Hebron, that freedom of religion for all is ensured.

“In the Middle East, mosques, churches and synagogues in every other place, are being bombed – in places that are not Israel. We will continue to protect the Tomb of the Patriarchs, freedom of religion for all and the truth.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)