NOTE: SJP at UGA previously sought to publish this piece as a response to a Letter to the Editor authored by Mitchell Nemeth and Jacob Cohen, written on behalf of Students Supporting Israel at UGA) for The Red and Black. We engaged in correspondence with R&B soon after the letter's release, but our response was not published by the outlet.
The Executive Board of Students for Justice in Palestine at UGA wishes to address the misconceptions surrounding a recent resolution adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The resolution has been falsely framed and promoted by the Israeli government and pro-Israeli Zionist organizations & figures as an “anti-Semitic resolution” aimed at negating any historical Jewish ties to Jerusalem. SJP will consider both the language of the resolution and the context in which it was adopted by UNESCO – the context of Israeli occupation, settler-colonialism, and apartheid – in its analysis of this resolution's intentions and implications.
After clearly affirming “the importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls for the three monotheistic religions”, the resolution goes on to criticize Israeli aggression on the al-Aqsa Mosque/al-Haram al-Sharif. The resolution condemns the constant storming by right-wing Israeli extremists and Israeli forces of the Muslim holy site, the damage to the ancient Islamic infrastructure by Israeli forces, and the denial of Muslim access to the holy site, especially during Islamic holidays, and other Israeli violations of international law. Most importantly, the resolution “calls on Israel, the occupying Power [emphasis added], to allow for the restoration of the historic status quo” of the holy site, which was under the management of the Jordanian Waqf (a Muslim endowment trust) until September of 2000.
The resolution reminds Israel that it is primarily responsible for failing to account for the (internationally-recognized) legal status of land and property within the Occupied Palestinian Territories – essentially, Israel can neither forcefully nor de facto annex land and property in the territories. Since 1948, the Jordanian Waqf has exercised authority over the al-Aqsa Mosque/al-Haram al-Sharif. In 1994, the Jordanian-Israeli Peace Agreement affirmed that “…Israel will give high priority to the Jordanian historic role in these [Muslim] shrines”. In fact, and as substantiated by the resolution itself, Israel’s aggression has diminished the Jordanian Waqf’s role in protecting the holy site by arresting its enforcers and ultimately failing to cooperate. Furthermore, what remains unmentioned by either the Israeli government or Students Supporting Israel at UGA, is that extremist right-wing Israeli organizations calling for the destruction of the Muslim holy site and its replacement with a Jewish Temple, which storm the holy site with Israeli military or police escorts, are funded and supported by Israeli government ministries.
Considering this context of Zionist aggression on the holy site, the resolution’s sole reference to the holy site by the Islamic name "al-Aqsa Mosque/al-Haram al-Sharif” should be expected and interpreted as a reaffirmation of the status quo of the holy site as a Muslim shrine under the authority of the Muslim Jordanian Waqf (with consent by the Israeli state). Absolutely no denial is being made to any Jewish ties to the city of Jerusalem. Likewise, when one considers that the aforementioned extremist Israeli organizations have been increasing their aggressive behaviors with the support of the Israeli ministry, one is able to infer that referring to the holy site as the “Temple Mount” would serve to pander to those Zionist extremists hell-bent on destroying al-Aqsa, effectively condoning their actions (and even if one wanted to claim that referring to the holy site as the “Temple Mount” could be done apolitically, it remains an irrational stretch to assert anti-Semitic motives). Nothing is ever said against the possibility of shared worship at the holy site.
The key issue to remember is that since 1967, Israel has illegally occupied the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as recognized by international law. Israel extended the jurisdiction of its laws to East Jerusalem, effectively annexing it. Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, is recognized by the United Nations, the United States (undoubtedly Israel's staunchest ally), various human rights organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Amnesty International, including even Israeli civil rights organizations, and most of the world's nation-states. Under occupation law enumerated by various international sources, Israel has the responsibility of maintaining the status quo of all land and property. Nevertheless, Israel continues to demolish Palestinian homes & construct illegal colonies in the West Bank, and in East Jerusalem, even with the various holy sites relevant to all three monotheistic faiths, Palestinians continue to be evicted from their homes by Israeli settlers with impunity.
As students at UGA advancing a national movement within the United States, dedicated to bringing about the liberation and justice for the Palestinian people, SJP regards this recently-adopted UNESCO resolution as a continuation of the tradition of U.N. passivity towards Israel’s consistent and daily violations of international law, including the human and national rights of the Palestinian people. Considering that Israel has violated more U.N. laws and resolutions than any other state in the world, we affirm that U.N. statements, recommendations, and policies which uphold Palestinian rights are necessary. As called for by Palestinian civil society, we will continue to promote boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against the settler-colonial apartheid state of Israel until justice is served, the occupation is terminated, Palestinian citizens of Israel are granted full equality, and the apartheid wall is dismantled.
In Solidarity,
Students for Justice in Palestine at UGA
The Executive Board of Students for Justice in Palestine at UGA wishes to address the misconceptions surrounding a recent resolution adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The resolution has been falsely framed and promoted by the Israeli government and pro-Israeli Zionist organizations & figures as an “anti-Semitic resolution” aimed at negating any historical Jewish ties to Jerusalem. SJP will consider both the language of the resolution and the context in which it was adopted by UNESCO – the context of Israeli occupation, settler-colonialism, and apartheid – in its analysis of this resolution's intentions and implications.
After clearly affirming “the importance of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls for the three monotheistic religions”, the resolution goes on to criticize Israeli aggression on the al-Aqsa Mosque/al-Haram al-Sharif. The resolution condemns the constant storming by right-wing Israeli extremists and Israeli forces of the Muslim holy site, the damage to the ancient Islamic infrastructure by Israeli forces, and the denial of Muslim access to the holy site, especially during Islamic holidays, and other Israeli violations of international law. Most importantly, the resolution “calls on Israel, the occupying Power [emphasis added], to allow for the restoration of the historic status quo” of the holy site, which was under the management of the Jordanian Waqf (a Muslim endowment trust) until September of 2000.
The resolution reminds Israel that it is primarily responsible for failing to account for the (internationally-recognized) legal status of land and property within the Occupied Palestinian Territories – essentially, Israel can neither forcefully nor de facto annex land and property in the territories. Since 1948, the Jordanian Waqf has exercised authority over the al-Aqsa Mosque/al-Haram al-Sharif. In 1994, the Jordanian-Israeli Peace Agreement affirmed that “…Israel will give high priority to the Jordanian historic role in these [Muslim] shrines”. In fact, and as substantiated by the resolution itself, Israel’s aggression has diminished the Jordanian Waqf’s role in protecting the holy site by arresting its enforcers and ultimately failing to cooperate. Furthermore, what remains unmentioned by either the Israeli government or Students Supporting Israel at UGA, is that extremist right-wing Israeli organizations calling for the destruction of the Muslim holy site and its replacement with a Jewish Temple, which storm the holy site with Israeli military or police escorts, are funded and supported by Israeli government ministries.
Considering this context of Zionist aggression on the holy site, the resolution’s sole reference to the holy site by the Islamic name "al-Aqsa Mosque/al-Haram al-Sharif” should be expected and interpreted as a reaffirmation of the status quo of the holy site as a Muslim shrine under the authority of the Muslim Jordanian Waqf (with consent by the Israeli state). Absolutely no denial is being made to any Jewish ties to the city of Jerusalem. Likewise, when one considers that the aforementioned extremist Israeli organizations have been increasing their aggressive behaviors with the support of the Israeli ministry, one is able to infer that referring to the holy site as the “Temple Mount” would serve to pander to those Zionist extremists hell-bent on destroying al-Aqsa, effectively condoning their actions (and even if one wanted to claim that referring to the holy site as the “Temple Mount” could be done apolitically, it remains an irrational stretch to assert anti-Semitic motives). Nothing is ever said against the possibility of shared worship at the holy site.
The key issue to remember is that since 1967, Israel has illegally occupied the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as recognized by international law. Israel extended the jurisdiction of its laws to East Jerusalem, effectively annexing it. Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, is recognized by the United Nations, the United States (undoubtedly Israel's staunchest ally), various human rights organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Amnesty International, including even Israeli civil rights organizations, and most of the world's nation-states. Under occupation law enumerated by various international sources, Israel has the responsibility of maintaining the status quo of all land and property. Nevertheless, Israel continues to demolish Palestinian homes & construct illegal colonies in the West Bank, and in East Jerusalem, even with the various holy sites relevant to all three monotheistic faiths, Palestinians continue to be evicted from their homes by Israeli settlers with impunity.
As students at UGA advancing a national movement within the United States, dedicated to bringing about the liberation and justice for the Palestinian people, SJP regards this recently-adopted UNESCO resolution as a continuation of the tradition of U.N. passivity towards Israel’s consistent and daily violations of international law, including the human and national rights of the Palestinian people. Considering that Israel has violated more U.N. laws and resolutions than any other state in the world, we affirm that U.N. statements, recommendations, and policies which uphold Palestinian rights are necessary. As called for by Palestinian civil society, we will continue to promote boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against the settler-colonial apartheid state of Israel until justice is served, the occupation is terminated, Palestinian citizens of Israel are granted full equality, and the apartheid wall is dismantled.
In Solidarity,
Students for Justice in Palestine at UGA