By Mark Ellis —
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu read a Bible passage from Genesis during his July 9th cabinet meeting to counter a resolution passed by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee declaring the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Hebron as a Palestinian heritage site, according to World Israel News (WIN).
He read aloud from Genesis 23:16-19 to his cabinet:
“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–the same is 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.”
The prime minister noted Israel’s historical association with Hebron. “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 affirmed.
“Of 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.”
He openly derided the resolution and stated his intention to cut an additional $1 million from Israel’s UN membership dues and transfer the funds to the establishment of “The Museum of the Heritage of the Jewish People in Kiryat Arba and Hebron,” according to WIN.
The money will bolster other Israeli heritage projects related to 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,” Netanyahu pledged.
The U.N. is dominated by countries with overwhelming animosity toward the state of Israel. When UNESCO passed resolutions denying the Jewish connection to Jerusalem and the Old City, Israel reduced its UN dues.
“Therefore today I have instructed that procedures be completed for the construction of the Kedem Center for displaying the historical and archaeological findings for the City of David,” Netanyahu said of the new museum on the Jewish people’s ancient history in Jerusalem. “This will be an impressive structure with extensive displays. The entire world will see the truth and the first visitors whom I will invite there will be UNESCO and UN delegations,” he told WIN.
Many believe UNESCO’s resolution will attempt to eliminate Israel’s longstanding connection to the sites, where the founders of the Jewish religion are buried.
