OIC chief urges UNESCO to investigate annexation of Islamic sites

Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu urged on Wednesday the UNESCO to probe Israel's decision to incorporate Islamic sites into its heritage list, the Egyptian state-run MENA news agency reported.

Speaking to reporters in Cairo before heading to Tripoli, Ihsanoglu said he asked UNESCO and the ambassadors of the Arab and Islamic states to hold a meeting to probe Israeli practices including the incorporation of the Cave of Patriarchs (Sanctuary of Abraham) and Rachel's Tomb into its heritage sites list.

"We hold diplomatic contacts, especially with UNESCO to submit a draft bill to confront those Israeli practices," the OIC chief said.

Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved an Israeli government declaration, which considers Rachel 's Tomb in Bethlehem and the Cave of the Patriarchs (Sanctuary of Abraham) in Hebron as Jewish sites which are sacred to both Muslims and Jews.

Source: People's Daily.
Link: http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90856/6902737.html.