It’s Official: Call Me “Al Aqsa”

It is no surprise to Jews, and indeed all lovers of Israel, that the world community, through the UN, has turned from being an honorable institution to becoming an enemy of Israel and of peace, a puppet of the worst regimes in the world, of those who destroy life, and of their enablers. It was in this month 69 years ago, November 29, 1947 that the UN voted to partition what was then Palestine, and effectively endorsed and midwifed the State of Israel. The vote required 2/3 to pass, and it did so, 31 to 13.

What has happened in the past 49 years?

In a Wall Street Journal article by Eugene Kontorovitch, a professor at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law, along with Penny Gruseid, we are provided with quantitative data.

Israel is referred to as the “occupying power” 530 times in General Assembly Resolutions. By contrast, none of the following occupying powers has been called such in UN resolutions: Indonesia in East Timor, Turkey in northern Cyprus, Russia in areas of Georgia, Morocco in Western Sahara, Vietnam in Cambodia, Armenia in areas of Azerbaijan, and Russia in the Ukraine’s Crimea.

Since 1967, General Assembly resolutions have referred to Israeli-held territories as “occupied” 2,342 times, while resolutions addressing the countries cited above – 16 times!

The article cites many more quantitative revelations. Now let’s look at today: Recently, UNESCO World Heritage Committee voted to pass a resolution that aims to erase the Jewish connection to Jerusalem – for instance, referring to the Temple Mount only by its Arabic name – Al Aqsa Mosque / Al Haram Al Sharif. (Other art exhibits downplay any Jewish presence.) A re-writing of history is taking place.

The Jewish connection to Yerushalayim is a connection that dates back more than 3,000 years to King David’s time and lasted more than 1,000 years afterwards until the Romans cruelly destroyed Jewish life. There was always a continuous Jewish presence in Yerushalayim. Exiled Jews kept Yerushalayim in their hearts – in readings, in holydays, at the seder, in study, at weddings. Ultimately Yerushalayim was resettled and became Israel’s capital in 1949, and a united Yerushalayim was won in a defensive war in 1967. Only Israel has vigorously maintained and ensured free access to Yerushalayim for all.

The vote by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee was 10-2-8. A strong campaign could reverse the historical distortions and stem the political objectives.

All supporters of Israel should keep themselves informed, should take time to inform others, and should sign petitions and redouble their support to expose the UN’s anti-Jewish attitudes and overturn them. Otherwise, be prepared to call me “Al Aqsa.”