Israel’s emotions are over top regarding UNESCO resolutions on Jerusalem - Gatilov

JERUSALEM, October 28. /TASS/. Israel’s emotional approach to resolutions of UNESCO on Jerusalem is "not quite justified," Israelis’ "emotions are over the top," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said in response to a TASS correspondent’s question after the visit to Israel. "There has been the problem of UNESCO in recent days, connected with the adoption of a package of Middle East resolutions, including on Jerusalem," Gatilov said. "Israelis have a sensitive attitude toward that issue," he said. "But this time we felt that Israelis’ emotions are a bit over the top in that issue," Gatilov said, adding that "in this regard, the excessively emotional approach of Israel is not quite justified." Last Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled the ambassador to UNESCO, Carmel Shama-Hacohen, for consultations after adoption of this month’s second resolution on Jerusalem, in which the Jewish state is criticized for non-constructive approach in the cause of preservation of Jerusalem’s historic legacy. The Russian diplomat said "the resolutions adopted in UNESCO… have brought nothing new this time", adding that "resolutions, including on Jerusalem, have been adopted for 10 years, and the contents repeat nearly word by word the annually adopted texts." Israel "pointed to the fact that they [resolutions] allegedly do not take into account the connection between holy sites [Jerusalem] and Israel, the historic significance of the sites for the Israeli state." Gatilov called for efforts to develop "a solution that would be acceptable for all." Read more