Netanyahu protests UNESCO Hebron decision with scripture
PM reads from Genesis the story of the purchase of the Cave of the Patriarchs by Abraham; 'The connection between the Jewish People and Hebron and the Tomb of the Patriarchs is one of purchase and of history which may be without parallel in the history of peoples,' he says.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu protested Sunday with scripture a UNESCO resolution declaring the Cave of the Patriarchs as a Palestinian World Heritage Site.
Putting on a kippah, Netanyahu read the story of the purchase of the cave by Abraham.
"And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the hearing of the children of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant ... And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre (Hebron) in the land of Canaan. And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying-place by the children of Heth" (Genesis 23:16-19).
"The connection between the Jewish People and Hebron and the Tomb of the Patriarchs is one of purchase and of history which may be without parallel in the history of peoples," he said after reading the Biblical passage.
"Oh course this did not prevent the UNESCO World Heritage Committee last Friday from passing yet another delusional resolution which determined that the Tomb of the Patriarchs, the same Cave of Machpelah, is a Palestinian heritage site."
In response to the resolution, Netanyahu decided to cut an additional $1 million from Israel's membership fees to the UN and allocate the funds instead to the construction of The Museum of the Heritage of the Jewish People in Kiryat Arba and Hebron, as well as additional heritage projects in Hebron.
"Against UNESCO's denial, Israel will present to the world the historical truth and the Jewish People's deep connection—of thousands of years—to Hebron just as we did with UNESCO's other delusional decision regarding the absence of a connection to Jerusalem," the prime minister added.
