Amman, April 16 (Petra) - The House Foreign Affairs Committee characterized the unanimous resolution passed by the UNESCO Executive Board as a "historic victory" for Palestinian rights and the integrity of the historical narrative. In a press statement released Thursday, the committee asserted that the international consensus reached in Paris serves as a firm rebuke to all attempts aimed at altering the identity of the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls.

The committee emphasized that the resolution reinforces the legal classification of Jerusalem as an occupied city. Consequently, all administrative and legislative measures undertaken by Israeli authorities to modify the city’s landmarks or legal status are deemed null, void, and without international legal effect. The statement further noted that attempts to impose a "fait accompli" would fail to falsify history or circumvent the inherent rights of the people.

The parliamentary body called upon the international community to exert substantive pressure to compel the occupying power to cease excavations and illegal practices targeting the "exceptional universal value" of the Old City. It warned that continued interference with this human heritage, which is protected under international conventions and United Nations charters, remains a grave concern.

In a related context, the committee highlighted that intensive Jordanian diplomatic efforts have successfully bolstered international recognition of the significance of the historic Hashemite Custodianship over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. The committee described this Custodianship as the primary safeguard for preserving the identity of the Holy City and protecting its landmarks from erasure or Judaization.

This parliamentary stance follows the 214th session of the UNESCO Executive Board. The committee concluded that the unanimous adoption of the resolution provides a potent moral and legal foundation that supports the resilience of Jerusalemites and affirms the legitimacy of their rights to protect their heritage and civilization before the global community.

//Petra// AA