(Algemeiner) Benjamin Kerstein - David Kornbluth - who served as Israel's UNESCO envoy from 2005-2009 - told Algemeiner on Tuesday why Israel pulled out of UNESCO on Jan. 1 in coordination with the U.S. "It was bad then," Kornbluth said of his tenure. "It's really nasty being attacked all the time, but was more manageable. But things got worse and worse, it just goes on and on and on, and politically it becomes just a bit disgusting." "The Israel-bashing thing has been going on forever, but the United States is staunchly with Israel....Since the United States and Israel came out two years ago with the intention to withdraw, UNESCO has moderated itself a bit towards Israel, but not sufficiently." "It's very, very uncomfortable to be there as ambassador and you see all these people sort of enjoying their quasi-anti-Semitic discussions. It's really unpleasant. And you have to fight it and you have to negotiate against it." "It's very, very inappropriate when they come up with these sort of anti-Israel resolutions all the time. Denying the relationship with Jerusalem or Hebron or things like that. And they bash away at it. I mean it becomes part of what UNESCO believes or teaches....They're led by the Arab extremists who have nothing to do with wanting peace or wanting good relations with Israel."
2019-01-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive