World Jewish Congress (WJC) President Ronald S. Lauder warned the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) against exacerbating tensions in Israel by adopting a Palestinian-sponsored resolution that declares the Kotel (the Western Wall) in Jerusalem a part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Ahead of a vote by the 58 members countries on the Paris-based UNESCO Executive Council, scheduled for Wednesday, Lauder said the proposal “goes in the face of the UNESCO Constitution, which very clearly states the organization’s aim to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration and coexistence.’’

The proposed resolution declares that the Western Wall is part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and is called Buraq Plaza.

Lauder appealed to the member countries to vote against the proposal: “Everybody should see that this is not about protecting holy sites; it’s about bashing Israel, it’s about sowing the seeds of strife, and it’s about legitimizing violence. It must be stopped.”

‘’It would make a mockery of that founding principle if the UNESCO Executive Council were to back such a resolution. UNESCO must not be turned into a battleground for conflicts between religions,” he said.

The WJC president added: “For thousands of years, Jews have lived and prayed in Jerusalem. Since 1967, the State of Israel has safeguarded the right of worship of all three monotheistic religions present in Jerusalem, including the right of Muslims to pray on the Mount.’’

“Declaring the Western Wall of the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest place, a Muslim site would be a travesty. Instead of fostering peace, it would only encourage extremists to step up their campaign against Jews, both in Israel and beyond.”

The proposal is sponsored by six Arab states (Algeria, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates) on behalf of the Palestinians.

The resolution blames Israel for the recent wave of Palestinian violence and terror, urges that the Jewish state is condemned for the excavations near the Temple Mount and in the Old City of Jerusalem, and for what is termed the “aggression and illegal measures taken against the freedom of worship and access of Muslims to Al-Aqsa Mosque and Israel's attempts to break the status quo since 1967".

Moreover, the draft resolution seeks to confirm an earlier UNESCO decision that the Cave of the Patriarchs and Rachel's Tomb, two West Bank sites holy to both Jews and Muslims, are part of a Palestinian state.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also expressed alarm at the “cynical and incendiary” effort by Palestinian leaders and the six UNESCO members to pass the resolution.

ADL urged the 58 members of the executive board to reject this blatant attempt to hijack UNESCO and exacerbate religious conflict in Jerusalem and to exercise responsible leadership to promote calm and religious respect at this tumultuous time.

‘’It is a tragic irony that while the Israeli government actively recognizes Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem and across the country, and guarantees and protects freedom of worship, the Palestinians and their allies on the UNESCO executive are instead trying to diminish, deny or replace the undeniable Jewish connection to holy sites in Jerusalem,’’ said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO.

He added, ‘’We call on the members of UNESCO’s Executive Board to exercise responsible leadership and reject this resolution, particularly at this time when Israeli civilians are being attacked on the streets by young Muslims who have been inspired and incited by blatant misinformation about Israeli policies towards holy sites.’’

‘’The international community and UNESCO have a role in working to reduce tensions and promote true religious respect and understanding, and to affirm Israel’s very right to exist. This resolution will have the opposite effect,’’ he said.

Israel’s Ambassador to UNESCO, Carmel Shama Hacohen called the resolution ‘’a total Islamization’’ of a site that is revered by both Jews and Muslims.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely added that the resolution is ‘’an attempt by the Palestinians to rewrite history by going after one of the essential foundations of Judaism.’’