Sen. Ted Cruz (AP /Manuel Balce Ceneta) (AP /Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Ted Cruz

Senator Cruz and Congressman Gaetz introduced a resolution reaffirming the deep historical connection between the Jewish people and Jerusalem, and condemning UNESCO for denying it. 

US Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) on Friday announced he will introduce to the Senate a resolution reaffirming the deep historical connection between the Jewish people and the city of Jerusalem, a resolution introduced in the House by Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL).

The resolution expresses support for Israel’s protection of religious freedom for all faiths in its capital, and condemns the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the anti-Israel resolutions it has passed in recent years.

Most recently, UNESCO passed a motion denying the Jewish historical and religious ties to Jerusalem on Israel’s Independence Day this year.

Cruz’s statement came a day after the State Department announced the US would be leaving UNESCO by the end of 2018 because of its “anti-Israel bias.”

Following suite, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the decision “brave and moral,” and indicated that Israel is planning to withdraw from UNESCO as well.

Cruz’s and Gaetz’s resolution urges the US, regardless of its UNESCO membership, to work with its allies and prevent future anti-Israeli resolutions from being adopted.

UNESCO’s ‘Anti-Semitism Cannot be Tolerated Any Longer’

“The Trump Administration has demonstrated strong moral clarity in deciding to withdraw and continuing to withhold US taxpayer dollars from UNESCO as a result of its relentless hostility towards our close ally Israel,” Cruz stated.

Cruz noted that the resolution “formally rejects UNESCO’s shameful and absurd attempts to deliberately erase the history of Jerusalem, Israel’s eternal capital.”

“This resolution reaffirms the profound historical connection of the Jewish people to Jerusalem that has existed for thousands of years, describes archeological excavations at the City of David that have revealed incontrovertible, physical evidence of the Jewish, as well as Christian ties to Jerusalem, and denounces efforts at UNESCO to delegitimize Israel and deny historical truth,” he added.

Gaetz stated that while the people of Israel “have a deep and ancient connection” to Jerusalem, UNESCO “is actively trying to rewrite history. UNESCO has not been silent in their condemnations of Israel. Each year brings new horrors. Their cruelty, their attempts to erase history, and their anti-Semitism cannot be tolerated any longer.”

By: United with Israel Staff