Israel’s Foreign Ministry exorciated the decision by the UNESCO Heritage Committee on Sunday to list the ancient city of Yericho as a “World Heritage Site in Palestine.”

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers the decision made today as another sign of the Palestinians’ cynical use of UNESCO and the politicization of the organization,” the ministry stated.

“Israel will work in coordination with its many allies in the organization to change the distorted decisions that were made.”

The decision deems the archeological site of Tel Yericho, or Tell es-Sultan, which is located within the ancient of city of Yericho, as being part of the “State of Palestine” – a state that does not actually exist.

In 2016, the UNESCO listed Mearas HaMachpeilah, in Chevron, as being located in the “State of Palestine.”

From 2009-2014, UNESCO passed 47 resolutions, 46 of which were against Israel and one which was against Syria.

The Trump administration withdrew its membership from UNESCO in 2017 following numerous anti-Israel decisions by the organization questioning Israeli presence in Jerusalem and naming ancient Jewish sites as Palestinian heritage sites. Israel followed suit just days later, withdrawing its membership as well. The Biden administration rejoined UNESCO in June 2023.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)