Two Republican politicians have submitted a resolution to Congress condemning UNESCO, days after the US announced that it would be withdrawing from the organization over its “anti-Israel bias”, according to the Times of Israel.

Senator Ted Cruz and Republican Matt Gaetz authored the resolution last Friday which condemns UNESCO for trying to delegitimize the Jewish state and “recognizes and affirms the historical connection of the Jewish people to the ancient and sacred city of Jerusalem”.

Last year, UNESCO voted in favor of a resolution that denied any connection between Al-Aqsa Mosque and Judaism; Israel relies on such a claim in recognizing the Muslim holy site as the “Temple Mount”.

United States and #Israel withdraw from #UNESCO after the UN body recognized Khalil City (Hebron) as a #Palestinian World Heritage site. pic.twitter.com/Yp3N2xX153

— Days of Palestine (@DaysofPalestine) October 15, 2017

“The Jewish people, and the people of Israel, have a deep and ancient connection to the holy city of Jerusalem,” Gaetz claimed. “Yet the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) … is actively trying to rewrite history.”

US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley warned that other UN agencies could face similar action if they did not reform.

Last week, Israel chose to follow the US and prepare for its exit from the international body, but appeared to leave the door open to reconciliation announcing that the change would take at least a year, and would be dependent on UNESCO’s future actions.

Support for #UNESCO is intrinsically linked to ensuring that journalists can work without fear of reprisal. https://t.co/R5QWaAF60R

— CPJ (@pressfreedom) October 14, 2017

In May, UNESCO ruled that Israel is an “occupying power” and condemned illegal Israeli activity in occupied East Jerusalem a month later.

(MEMO, PC, Social Media)