Israeli authorities have sent an official notification to UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay that country is withdrawing from the organization.
Azoulay said, "In my capacity as Director-General of UNESCO, I was officially notified today by the Israeli Government of Israels withdrawal from the Organization effective on 31 December 2018, a decision which was announced on 12 October 2017. I regret this deeply, as it is my conviction that it is inside UNESCO and not outside it that States can best seek to overcome differences in the Organizations fields of competence."
The United States announced its withdrawal from UNESCO on October 12. Later that day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Neatnyahu asked to prepare Israels withdrawal from UNESCO.
Israel, which joined UNESCO in 1949, decided to suspend its cooperation with the organization after the executive council of UNESCO adopted a resolution, condemning Israel for posing obstacles to Muslims willing to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
Azoulay said, "In my capacity as Director-General of UNESCO, I was officially notified today by the Israeli Government of Israels withdrawal from the Organization effective on 31 December 2018, a decision which was announced on 12 October 2017. I regret this deeply, as it is my conviction that it is inside UNESCO and not outside it that States can best seek to overcome differences in the Organizations fields of competence."
The United States announced its withdrawal from UNESCO on October 12. Later that day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Neatnyahu asked to prepare Israels withdrawal from UNESCO.
Israel, which joined UNESCO in 1949, decided to suspend its cooperation with the organization after the executive council of UNESCO adopted a resolution, condemning Israel for posing obstacles to Muslims willing to visit the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.