Cotton Statement on UNESCO Resolution that Ignores Jewish and Christian Historical Connections to the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount

Contact: Caroline Rabbitt (202) 224-2353

Washington, D.C.- Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement regarding today's passage by UNESCO of a resolution that ignores Jewish and Christian historical connections to the Old City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount:

"The resolution just passed by UNESCO is not just historically inaccurate, but dangerous. Terrorists who have attacked Israelis civilians in the past year routinely claim they are defending the Al-Aqsa Mosque. By denying the historical connections of Jews and Christians to Jerusalem's Old City and the Temple Mount and by feeding unfounded conspiracy theories that the Al-Aqsa Mosque is under threat, UNESCO is unwisely setting the stage for further terrorist attacks against innocent Israelis. This resolution should be rescinded immediately. And the Obama administration must cease its persistent and foolhardy attempts to restore U.S. taxpayer funding to UNESCO, a body which has proven itself repeatedly to be unworthy of U.S. support."