Editorial: Palestine’s UNESCO nod rewards desecrators

In the two decades since the Madrid Conference of 1991, the Palestinian Liberation Organization has gone from a terrorist organization to an apparent peace partner, and back to a pariah, as far as the Israeli government is concerned. But on the world stage, it appears to incrementally pick up the trappings of statehood. An anthem, a flag, diplomatic immunity, UN observer status, and this week, full membership in the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

This move officially sanctions the denial of Jewish history by the Palestinian Authority on land that it claims for a state. In recent years, the government of Mahmoud Abbas has falsely labeled Rachel’s Tomb as the Bilal ibn Rabah Mosque. For centuries mainstream Islam held that Bilal, an early convert, was buried in either Damascus or outside Amman, but for the purpose of discrediting Israel, his body somehow took the place of Rachel. Last November, UNESCO accepted the Palestinian version of the story.

On the site of the biblical Shekhem, the tomb of Joseph has been appropriated as the resting place of an obscure sheikh named Yusuf. The Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron may contain the tomb of Abraham, but as a Muslim prophet, it would be off-limits to the nonbelievers. Crowning this litany of historical denials is the official assertion that the Holy Temple never existed.

In erasing historical evidence, the Palestinians stand apart from their brethren.

In Beirut, where only a couple dozen Jews remain, Hezbollah supports rebuilding the Maghen Abraham synagogue. In Egypt last year, the Maimonides Synagogue in Cairo was restored last year by the government. In Jordan, where no Jews reside, the Machaerus fortress from the First Jewish Revolt is open to tourism. In Herat, Afghanistan, the Aga Khan Trust restored the unused Yu Aw synagogue in 2009. Even while denying legitimacy to Israel, these Muslim nations find value in preserving Jewish history as part of their national heritage.

For the Palestinians, the opposite is true. The synagogues of Gush Katif were reduced to rubble, the tombs of Joshua and Caleb are covered in graffiti, and the cemetery atop the Mount of Olives is subject to sporadic vandalism. Is this any way for a UNESCO member state to behave? The international agency responsible for cultural and historical preservation has admitted Palestine on the flimsiest of qualifications, but as a member, it must adhere to international laws. The withholding of United States funding, which comprises 22 percent of the UNESCO budget, will ensure compliance.

The 13 nations that stood by Israel

The following 14 nations voted on Oct. 31 against UNESCO membership for Palestine: Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Israel, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Palau, Panama, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sweden, United States, and Vanuatu. The vote came down to 107 in support and 52 abstentions.
“The righteous of all nations have a share in the world to come.” (Tosefta, Sanhedrin 13)

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For the Jewish voters of Nassau County, the election for Hempstead Town seats and the Nassau County Legislature is a very visible contest. Almost as ubiquitous as winter holiday decorations, colorful campaign signs abound on vacant gas stations, traffic medians and residential lawns, practically every inch of unoccupied space. But an election is not a flag contest, and hopefully after Tuesday, win or lose, the candidates will clear up these visual distractions. It is all about your vote. With social media, it has never been easier to look up a candidate’s platform. With campaign finance laws, looking up a candidate’s true agenda is just as simple, based on who donates the most. Make the most of these tools.