“For the past 49 years – and counting – the injustice known as the occupation of Palestine, and Israeli control of Palestinian lives in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, has become part of the international order. The first half-century of this reality will soon be over. On behalf of B’Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, I implore you today to take action. Anything short of decisive international action will achieve nothing but ushering in the second half of the first century of the occupation,” said Hagai El-Ad

“The UNESCO resolution deserves criticism, but let’s understand what the genuine threats to peace, dignity, and equality really are,” writes FMEP President Matthew Duss

“What cannot be debated is that the settlement policies of the Israeli government are undermining (Israeli) democracy, distorting the noble Jewish values articulated in its Declaration of Independence, harming Israel’s relations with the world, violating the rights of the Palestinians, and killing the chances of ever achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace in the future,” said Lara Friedman

“To deny, conceal or erase any of the Jewish, Christian or Muslim traditions undermines the integrity of the site, and runs counter to the reasons that justified its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list. When these divisions carry over into UNESCO, an organization dedicated to dialogue and peace, they prevent us from carrying out our mission,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova

Palestinian envoy says he’s met with half of 15-member council ahead of informal session Friday and amid new push for UN membership.